 Although stone tools have been found at many archaeological sites , little is known about the UAE 's early inhabitants as only a few settlements have been found . Many ancient towns in the area were trading centers between the Eastern and Western worlds . The remnants of an ancient mangrove swamp , dated at 7000 BC , were discovered during the construction of sewer lines near Dubai Internet City . The area was covered with sand about 5 @,@ 000 years ago as the coast retreated inland , becoming part of the city 's present coastline . Pre @-@ Islamic ceramics have been found from the 3rd and 4th centuries . Prior to the introduction of Islam to the area , the people in this region worshiped <unk> ( or Bajar ) . After the spread of Islam in the region , the Umayyad Caliph of the eastern Islamic world invaded south @-@ east Arabia and drove out the Sassanians . Excavations by the Dubai Museum in the region of Al @-@ <unk> ( Jumeirah ) found several artifacts from the Umayyad period . 
