NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AL-AÏN

Notice to readers: located at the gates of Al Ain Oasis, this building is closed since 2019 for a total overhaul of its museology. However, we have decided to leave the description of its contents to testify to the very ancient and rich history of this region. This museum was opened in the 1970s under the impetus of Sheikh Zayed, who was governor of the city and then of Abu Dhabi before becoming the country's first president. He had a passion for history and in particular for archaeological sites.

The museum was divided into 3 sections: History, Heritage and Gifts to Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan.

The archaeological section exhibits numerous objects from the Stone Age to the Islamic period. They bear witness to the first settlements and occupation of the region several thousand years ago. You will discover in particular models of the mysterious ancestral tombs in the shape of a dome, the Hili tombs, but also of the Bida Bint Saud necropolis. Presented in chronological order, an important collection of tools allows you to see blades, chisels, arrowheads and scrapers, stone lids and pottery characteristic of each different period.

The ethnographic section offers a more "intimate" experience, thanks to an attractive presentation of the objects on display, with an emphasis on the particularities of the local culture. Among its most notable collections are one of women's jewelry (pendants, hairpins, necklaces, and necklaces); another devoted to ancient farming techniques and tools; and yet another devoted to the art of falconry, an ancient sport passed down from generation to generation and still prominent in the emirate's contemporary culture. Don't miss the black and white photos of Al Ain in the 1960s, when more than 50 years ago, before the oil boom, the city had only one street and its camel market... And among the sights, you will also see a piece of the moon purchased by Abu Dhabi after the Apollo mission. That's right, Abu Dhabi didn't get the moon, it got a piece of it! There is no need to go to Cape Canaveral to see a piece of the star that popularized Armstrong, so go to the Al-Ain museum...

The gifts section offers visitors the countless gifts received by Sheikh Zayed, father of the nation, throughout his life. Daggers, swords and other fancies: almost a cabinet of curiosities.