All about the Saruq Al Hadid Museum in Dubai
The museums in Dubai offer a unique glimpse into the fascinating past of this small desert city that has grown into one of the most cosmopolitan metropolises in the world. The Saruq Al-Hadid Archaeology Museum is one such iconic landmark in the city, located in the historical Shindagha district. Let’s look at some of the amazing attractions and historic artefacts that await guests visiting the museum.
ABOUT THE SARUQ AL-HADID MUSEUM
STORY BEHIND THE DISCOVERY
The story behind the discovery of the museum is as intriguing as the museum itself. It happened back in 2002, when His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum was flying across the Rub Al-Khali or the Empty Quarter desert.
During the flight as he gazed across the vast dunes of the desert, the varying colours in a particular spot caught his eye. Upon investigation, it was revealed this was, in fact, a slag, created from smelting iron during the Iron Age. Over time, the slag had come up and settled on the surface of the desert. This served as the main excavation site for the artefacts displayed in the museum.
Today visitors and locals can see the magnificent evolution of the iron age in the region in all its glory at the Saruq Al-Hadid Museum in Dubai.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MUSEUM’S BUILDING
The building where the museum is constructed holds cultural and historical significance in Dubai. Nestled among other historical sites in the Shindagha Heritage District, it once served as the residence of Sheikh Juma Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum back in 1928. During the conversion of the building into a museum, the original structure was carefully preserved along with new additions.
ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES AT THE SARUQ AL-HADID MUSEUM
The museum was once a metallurgy factory. The galleries hold artefacts like weapons, utensils and work tools. Saruq Al-Hadid also has a special gallery designed for kids to help them learn more about the history and the inventions of the Iron Age.
Let’s find out about the various activities at Saruq Al-Hadid Archaeological Museum Dubai.
IMMERSIVE AUDIO-VISUAL EXPERIENCE
Guests at the museum usually start their tour with an immersive audio-visual experience in a modern 3D cinematic room. The visuals titled “Mysteries of Saruq Al-Hadid” provide detailed information about the discovery of the Saruq Al-Hadid excavation site.
LEARN ABOUT THE ANCIENT CIVILISATION
Some of the unearthed artefacts from the Rub Al-Khail desert in the Saruq Al-Hadid Museum provide information about the old civilisation in the UAE.
For instance, after the careful analysis of some beads found at the site, it was revealed that Arab tradesmen might have traded them as far as India and other countries. Additionally, the fossilised bones of fish also give an insight into the trade and commerce in the Iron Age. The olive wood tools from the Mediterranean areas reveals that people travelled far and wide for trade.
WEAPONS AND METAL WORKS EXHIBITS
The museum has a wide selection of weapons including swords and daggers of varying kinds. These swords and daggers show the craftsmanship of the workers and the effort that went into creating these masterpieces.
The weapons are made from bronze, iron and other metals. Some of the metal works from that era showcased in the museum include vessels, work tools, toys and utensils.
JEWLLERY AND PRECIOUS STONES
The jewellery and precious stones exhibit have ornate objects, stones and jewellery from ancient times. Visitors can also take a closer look at the iconic Saruq Al-Hadid Museum Gold Ring which is the inspiration behind the Dubai Expo 2020 logo.
VISIT THE LABORATORY
The Laboratory section of the Saruq Al-Hadid Museum is one of the most popular among visitors. This is where visitors can use interactive workstations where visitors can try replicating some of the artefacts on display. The workstations have step-by-step instructions on how to complete a task. For example, visitors can reconstruct a recently discovered pot, assemble an animal skeleton and solve a range of “Saruq Al-Hadid Mysteries”.
BECOME AN ARCHEALOGIST AT ‘DIG’!
Unlike a traditional museum where visitors explore the dioramas and exhibits, Saruq Al-Hadid offers a truly unique experience. Dig is one of the museum’s interactive experiences where both adult and kids can get a chance to create their own Indiana Jones moment and dig up ancient artefacts. The specially designed simulated excavation site has objects buried in the sand. So grab a brush, wear gloves and dig up some hidden treasures like an archaeologist.
Visitors are given a sheet to mark and record their discovery. Some of the information that visitors can fill out include:
- The colour of the artefact
- Mention if your artefact was a single piece or more pieces
- Draw the sketch of the artefact in the space provided in the sheet
KID-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES AT SARUQ AL-HADID
The Kids Trail at Saruq Al-Hadid Museum Dubai is a great place where kids can learn about history through interactive games and a treasure hunt. The treasure hunt is one of the most popular kid-friendly activities at the museum.
SHOP AT THE GIFT SHOP
End your historical trip to the museum by shopping for souvenirs at the museum’s gift shops. The shop offers a range of jewellery, decorative items, cards and toys.
FAQS
WHAT ARE THE SARUQ AL-HADID TIMINGS?
The Saruq Al-Hadid Museum Dubai opening hours are from Sunday to Wednesday 08:00 am – 08:00 pm. The museum’s timings for the weekends is Saturday to Thursday 08:00 am – 02:00 pm.
WHAT IS THE SARUQ Al-HADID MUSEUM LOCATION?
The Saruq Al-Hadid Archaeological Museum is located in the historical Shindagha District Bur Dubai, Al Fahidi, Dubai.
WHAT IS THE SARUQ AL-HADID MUSEUM TICKET PRICE?
The Saruq Al-Hadid Museum entrance fees are:
- AED 20 for adults
- AED 10 for kids aged between 7 to 12 years
- Senior citizen over the age of 60 and kids below 6 are exempt from tickets
HOW TO GET TO THE MUSUEM?
The museum is easily accessible through public transport in Dubai. You can take the Dubai Metro and get off at the Al Ghubaiba Metro Station. Similarly, for those travelling by bus can reach the museum by dropping off at the Al Ghubaiba Bus Station. Another affordable option to reach Saruq Al-Hadid is by taking an abra. Take an abra from the Souq Area in Deira to reach the Bur Dubai Abra Station.
WHAT IS THE SARUQ AL-HADID CONTACT NUMBER?
For any queries or information about the museum, please call +971-4-359-5612, EXT 202.
That’s all for our detailed guide to the Saruq Al-Hadid Archaeological Museum in Dubai. The museum is one of the most significant discoveries in the UAE. The excavations from the site and the exhibits at the museum provide detailed insights into the Iron Age in the region. It is one of the top museums in Dubai where visitors can experience the rich culture and history of the region. There are plenty of other historical sites in Dubai for culture vultures to explore.
Stay tuned to MyBayut for more updates about museums and cultural sites in Dubai and other emirates.
