Saruq Al Hadid Archaeology Museum is one of the oldest archaeological sites in the UAE. Its walls have seen millennia pass by. The museum once used to be a centre for manufacturing and trading. Here is all you need to know about Saruq Al Hadid Museum.
- Overview
- History
- Infrastructure
- Exhibits
- Location, Timings and Contact
- Nearby Attractions
- Surrounding Communities
- FAQs
Overview
Saruq Al Hadid is situated in the Rub Al-Khali desert, near the historical area of Al Fahidi. Desert dunes surround the museum which is an excavated site. The artefacts uncovered from this place highlight the rich history and cultures of various ages, especially that of the Iron Age.
The Sauq Al Hadid Museum provides various experiences for all age groups. A set-up for children is present where they can become archaeologists and dig up hidden treasures. Meanwhile, the adults can explore the rich history. A virtual tour of the museum at the beginning helps you navigate your way, and if there is a chance of getting lost, the map provided will guide you.
History
Saruq Al Hadid was discovered by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, flying over the site in his helicopter in 2002. He observed a slag byproduct created from smelting iron during the Iron Age which is now displayed at the museum. The museum itself is named after its resident of the 1920s, Sheikh Juma bin Maktoum Al Maktoum.
The site depicts the signs of it being a metal ‘factory’ operating between 1300 and 800 BC. Saruq Al Hadid Museum opened in 2016. It has been a trade hub since the Bronze Age and the site remains.
Infrastructure
There are two levels of the Saruq Al Hadid Archaeology Museum. A spacious courtyard surrounds the old walls of the museum situated on the ground level. Coral, gypsum, and Chandal wood line the building, the materials being native to the Emirates. You can also find ash pits and hearths made of stone in the museum.
Exhibits
Saruq Al Hadid Museum holds slag, ingot, copper, and other smelted metals. The findings of the excavation side include furnished copper items like weapons, adornments, and decorations. Beads reveal that their origins are not from the UAE but from the Eastern side of the continent such as India.
List of Findings
You can find the detailed list of the items found in the museum below:
- Beads
- Olive wood
- Bronze snakes
- Animal bones such as camel, oryx, rodents and fish
- Bird bones
- Pottery
- Metal and stone jewellery
- Weapons such as swords, daggers, knives, axes and arrowheads
- Gold wires and strips
- Rings
- Patterns such as that of animals, crescent, pyramids, and stars
Location, Timings, and Contact
You can find further information related to the museum below:
Location
You can visit the site at Al Fahidi, Dubai, UAE
Timings
These are the operational hours for the museum:
- Monday to Thursday: 07:30 am – 07:00 pm
- Friday and Sunday: 09:00 am – 05:00 pm
Note that the Saruq Al Hadid Archaeology Museum is closed on Saturdays.
Contact
+971-4-359-5612
Nearby Attractions
If you are looking for further entertainment, you can also drive to these locations and discover more in Dubai:
- Dubai Museum (14 minutes)
- Naif Museum (14 minutes)
- Dubai Spice Souk (16 minutes)
- Museum of Candy (20 minutes)
- Al Seef Museum (24 minutes)
- Dubai Old City (25 minutes)
Surrounding Communities
If you live in the following communities, you can easily travel to the Saruq Al Hadid Museum by car in a few minutes:
- Deira (13 minutes)
- Dubai Maritime City (15 minutes)
- Al Hudaiba (15 minutes)
- Al Jaffiliya (18 minutes)
- Al Rigga (19 minutes)
- Al Satwa (25 minutes)
FAQs
Saruq Al Hadid exhibits metallic pottery, fossilised animal and bird bones, jewellery, weapons, and decorations.
The museum remains open from 07:30 am – 07:00 pm from Monday to Thursday and 09:00 am – 05:00 pm on Friday and Sunday. It is closed on Saturdays.
It dates back to the Iron Ages, around 1,000 BCE.
You can contact the museum at +971 4 359 5612.
These are three nearby museums you can visit:
-Dubai Museum
-Museum of Candy
-Al Seef Museum
Saruq Al Hadid Museum holds a rich history of the Iron Ages of the UAE. The museum exhibits artefacts and fossils, highlighting their rich past. If you wish to dive into the history and cultures of the past, this museum is a good spot to visit.
Saruq Al Hadid is a good place to visit, but other than that, you can also see other most searched museums in Dubai for further discovery.
