The area around Wadi Naqab was traditionally held by members of the
Naqbiyin tribe, from whom it derives its name, but was gradually bought up by members of the
Habus tribe after the Naqbiyin fell foul of local rulers, likely pre-
Al Qasimi (in the period 1695–1740) and many moved to
Dibba and
Khor Fakkan. The Habus made the money to buy the land from labouring in date gardens, share cropping arable land and raising livestock. By about 1800, Wadi Naqab was considered to be Habus territory. Cultivating wheat and dates, the Habus of Wadi Naqab traded wheat, honey, live goats, dairy products such as
ghee (clarified butter) and firewood in Ras Al Khaimah town, buying metal tools, coffee, salt and clothing.
Archaeology The lower reaches of the Wadi Naqab have been found to contain burials from the
Wadi Suq era, with a number of tombs destroyed by construction work around the building of the RAK Ring Road. Of the 60-odd tombs so far identified in the area, four were excavated by archaeologists from the
University of Durham in the
UK and the Ras Al Khaimah Antiquities Department prior to the construction work and were subsequently destroyed. Bone fragments, carnelian beads, seashell rings and stone vessels were found during the work. == Gallery ==