-- Museums

Museums
Dubai National Museum was established and officially inaugurated on May 12th 1971.
The Museum is located in Al Fahidi Fort which is one of the most ancient
historical Buildings in Dubai (built: 1787). It is thought to be
Dubai’s oldest building. It was built as a fort for sea defense, and the
importance of the Fort increased with the expansions which were built
during the era of the Late Sheikh Maktoum Bin Buti 1833-l852 which added
most of the architectural features which are still existing upto now.
To protect this ancient monument, it was rehabilitated during the era of
Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president, prime Minister of
UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The Museum contains a collection of artifacts which depict the different
aspects of Social, economic and Professional life which prevailed
during the past century and the start of the present century. It also
contains many.” archaeological objects such as pottery, stone and
metallic items, stone engravings, and skeletons, which were discovered
during the archaeological explorations executed in the different areas
of the Emirate of Dubai (Hatta, Al Soffoh, Al Qusais, and Al Jumeira).
They date back to the third, second, and first millennium BC as well as
the Islamic era (Seventh - 13th Century). Displays include everyday
artifacts and archaeological finds from the area, some dating back 4000
years. Pearl merchants, fishermen, housewives and wedding finery are all
presented.
In the past the fort was used to defend the town from warlike
neighbouring tribes. It has also served, at various times throughout
history as the seat of government, the ruler’s residence, a store for
ammunition, and a jail.
The walls of the fort are built from coral and shell rubble from the
sea, and are cemented together with lime. Wooden poles called handel
support the upper floor, and the ceiling is made of palm fronds, mud and
plaster. A massive, iron-studded door stands at the entrance, and its
battle-scarred walls and towers bear witness to the conflicts of the
past.
When the Museum was opened by the ruler of Dubai in 1971, its main aim
was to furnish a record of the Emirate’s traditional life, much of which
is fast disappearing. Local antiquities have been collected and stored,
along with artefacts from many African and Asian countries, trading
partners with the Emirate, throughout its long commercial history.
At the Museum’s entrance, the visitor can browse through a collection of
old maps of the Gulf and the Emirates, together with aerial photographs
showing Dubai’s considerable urban expansion between 1960 and 1980.
Inside, a treasure trove awaits. A large section is devoted to musical
instruments, with displays of drums, flutes, lyres, bagpipes made of
goatskin and other locally-made instruments used in performances on
festive occasions.
On a less peaceful note, displays of deadly weaponry are enough to
curdle the blood. The curved daggers known as hanjars are much in
evidence, and the display also includes swords, spears, bows and arrows,
shields made of sharkskin, pistols and axes.
windtower A model of a wind-tower room is an interesting feature of the
architecture section, with diagrams and photographs showing different
types of wind-towers from the older areas of Dubai city.
The wind-towers are essential features of Gulf architecture which
ameliorate the discomforts of the hot summer months. These square
masonry towers, or ‘barjeels’ are open on all sides and rise above the
roof tops. They catch the breeze and funnel it into a room below where
the increased air movement provides comfort to the occupants. The air
vents of the wind-tower are open in summer and closed during the winter
season. The builders of days gone by have shown ingenuity in the various
designs of the wind-towers and their decoration.
This museum is well worth a visit.
Narish Khyma, situated close to the Museum, is a typical Arab
summer-house, with an interesting collection of local boats. These
include a replica of the famous abra — the ferry boats used for
transporting passengers across Dubai’s river creek