The name
Sir Bani Yas originates from the Bani Yas tribe, who first inhabited Abu Dhabi. Sir Bani Yas is the crest of a
salt dome created millions of years ago by natural geological forces. The first human settlers arrived several thousand years ago. Thirty-six archaeological sites have been discovered throughout Sir Bani Yas, each providing a distinct insight into the island's history. A
Bronze Age ()
Dilmun trading port was excavated with finds including a Dilmun stamp seal and Harappan sherds. One of the oldest sites is the remains of an
Eastern Christian monastery which dates back to 600 AD, which is now carefully covered for conservation and preservation. The island is also the location of the first pre-Islamic Christian site to be found in the UAE. The 7th-century Christian church was opened to the public in mid-December 2010. It was discovered in 1992 and has been the focus of archaeological investigation under a team led by Dr. Joseph Elders. Dr. Elders claims the church was used by
Nestorian Christians until about 750 AD. Further excavations in 2014 revealed additional structures, including dormitories, a kitchen, cells, and burial sites. Archaeological evidence suggests that the monastic community engaged in cattle farming, fishing, and trade with Muslim neighbors in the Gulf region. The Christian complex operated for approximately 150 years after the advent of Islam in the region, but appears to have gradually faded away rather than being destroyed. Sir Bani Yas was first mentioned in European literature around 1590, when the Venetian jeweler
Gasparo Balbi listed "Sirbeniast" as an island around which pearls were often found. It was also described in some detail during the 1820s and 1850s by British naval officers who were surveying the lower
Gulf waters. In 1971
Sheikh Zayed became the first president of the United Arab Emirates, and chose this island as a retreat. In 1977, he passed a law prohibiting hunting on the island and started developing it as a wildlife preserve in his "Greening of the Desert" program, Several millions trees were planted and numerous animals species introduced to the island, including
gazelle,
oryx,
llama,
hyrax,
giraffe, and
ostrich. Once the reserve was established, Sheikh Zayed wanted to share the results with the world; hence it was opened to weekend tourists. These tours soon became so popular that visits would often have to be booked over one year in advance. In 2007, the Government of Abu Dhabi established the Desert Islands. This brought together Sir Bani Yas, neighboring Dalma Island, and six surrounding sandy outcrops into one destination. Sir Bani Yas and Dalma Islands are developed and can be visited, but the 6 discovery islands are currently closed to the public. == Wildlife and nature ==