The UAE’s new national museum opens its doors today, featuring a reconstructed Bronze Age cargo vessel and the burial site of an 8,000-year-old woman. These exhibits, along with immersive galleries and community archives, promise an engaging experience for visitors.
Khaleej Times had the privilege of previewing the museum’s offerings.
Upon entry, visitors are greeted by an imposing 18-meter-long, black-bitumen boat, crafted without nails and based on a 4,000-year-old Mesopotamian design. This massive structure, with its goat-hair sail, has been tested in a two-day Arabian Gulf voyage, achieving five knots, according to crew members.
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KT Photo: Muhammad Sajjad
Another gallery showcases the remains of an 8,000-year-old woman from Marawah Island, alongside a Bronze Age sword recently found in Al Ain. Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, explained that the tomb, adorned with a shark-tooth necklace, feathers, and ancient henna, suggests the woman was held in high esteem, possibly a leader.
The newly exhibited Bronze Age sword is equally captivating. “We discovered many were buried with weapons,” Al Mubarak noted regarding the graves.
The museum’s immersive galleries also include artistic displays of fossil fuel formation and vibrant clusters of naturally oxidized copper from the Hajar Mountains, all showcased under dramatic lighting for maximum impact.
A nearby installation illustrates ancient water extraction methods using blown glass, depicting techniques that sustained communities for millennia.
KT Photo: Muhammad Sajjad
A museum focused on community history
Beyond artifacts, Al Mubarak emphasized the museum’s dedication to personal stories and cultural memory. He highlighted the “vault” initiative, inviting visitors to contribute personal stories and histories, enriching the museum’s narrative.
This emphasis on intangible heritage is evident in the “Our Beginning” gallery, where Sheikh Zayed’s early life is explored beneath a structure resembling a ghaf tree, complete with a majlis-style seating area, fostering dialogue and consensus.
KT Photo: Muhammad Sajjad
A museum for residents, not just tourists
While attracting global visitors, Al Mubarak made clear that the museum’s primary aim is to foster identity among UAE residents. Rooted in Sheikh Zayed’s belief that understanding the past is key to shaping the future, the museum stands as a testament to Emirati heritage within the Saadiyat Cultural District.
Architectural inspiration from falcon wings
The museum’s five towers, designed by Norman Foster, soar like falcon wings, symbolizing the UAE’s high aspirations. Inside, the galleries’ warm sand tones seamlessly blend past and future, creating a timeless ambiance.
KT Photo: Muhammad Sajjad
An Emirati perspective on history
The museum spans 300,000 years of history across six permanent galleries, narrating the story from an Emirati viewpoint. Al Mubarak emphasized the significance of presenting UAE history through its own lens, particularly in maritime heritage, showcasing early navigation, pearling, and trade.
Highlights include a pearl merchant’s door from Ajman, Chinese ceramics from Ras Al Khaimah, traditional spice scents, and a pearling water tank, all illustrating the rich Emirati narrative.
KT Photo: Muhammad Sajjad
Training future Emirati archaeologists
The museum is a hub for research and education, offering scholarships and international placements for young Emiratis in archaeology and related fields. Continuing fieldwork in Al Ain and Al Dhafra reflects the commitment to uncovering and preserving UAE’s historical legacy.
Visitors leave with a deeper understanding of the UAE’s geological origins, trade routes, ancient burial practices, and water management, all woven into a narrative that celebrates the country’s unique history and cultural identity.
