A man in the UAE made an exciting discovery—a sealed Pepsi-Cola bottle with the word ‘Dubai’ written in Arabic, dating back to the 1960s. Despite enduring years of changing weather conditions, the bottle remained tightly sealed, preserving both its contents and the inscription.
Ali Rashid Al Ketbi, a passionate researcher and enthusiast of heritage, came across this remarkable bottle while exploring the Al Dhaid area of Sharjah following heavy rainfall that had exposed buried artifacts.
As he followed the course of a wadi, he noticed that a portion of the land had eroded, prompting him to continue his exploration. Eventually, he arrived at a rocky area with a cavity where he found the sealed Pepsi-Cola bottle—a relic from the Dubai Refreshments Company.
Al Ketbi shared, “As someone who collects old items, I used to inquire with the elders in the area about any relics that might be present. When the valley flooded, it revealed some hidden items. I walked along the path of the valley until I discovered the bottle.”
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He further explained, “Natural elements play a role in exposing various artifacts and settlements. In this case, the valley displaced the layer of sand in this particular area.”
The bottle was identified as a product of the Dubai Refreshments Company, which was established in 1958. Based on production and completion codes, its manufacturing date was determined to be 1962. Resting amongst the rocks, the bottle serves as a testament to Dubai’s early trading history and the visionary perspective of its founder, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
Ali Al Ketbi, who is currently pursuing a doctorate in Islamic History and Civilization, was driven by his passion for heritage, weather, and the history of Sharjah to explore the area following the heavy rainfall.
