Abu Dhabi Opens Natural History Museum, Showcasing 13.8 Billion Years of Earth’s Story
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has officially inaugurated the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, a major cultural and scientific institution aimed at advancing knowledge, research, and environmental awareness in the UAE.
Located in the Saadiyat Cultural District, the museum traces 13.8 billion years of history, from the origins of the universe to the evolution of life on Earth.
Beyond its public galleries, the institution is positioned as a hub for scientific research and global knowledge production.
The museum houses a wide range of large-scale exhibits and interactive experiences, with a strong focus on prehistoric life. One of its standout features is the world’s first display of a sauropod dinosaur herd, comprising five different species positioned in the museum’s atrium.
The exhibition offers visitors immersive insights into the age of dinosaurs and the planet’s deep past.
A significant portion of the museum is dedicated to the natural history of the UAE and the wider region. Galleries recreate a seven-million-year-old environment, depicting a once-lush savannah landscape that existed in the area and was home to extinct species, including a giant four-tusked elephant.
Another major attraction is a world-first display showing two Tyrannosaurus rexes locked in combat over a Triceratops. The exhibit features “Stan,” a 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex fossil regarded as one of the most complete ever discovered, with visible fossilized bite marks that bring the prehistoric encounter to life.
Speaking on the museum’s significance, the Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, said,
“This is a place where knowledge meets wonder. Framed through an Arabian lens, it brings a new dimension to our cultural story, inspiring curiosity, fostering learning, and connecting us to the bigger questions about our world and future.
Understanding our planet’s past helps us protect its future, and that is the foundation of what we have built here.”
According to a statement shared with Society Plus, the museum goes beyond exhibition by aiming to advance scientific understanding, support interdisciplinary research, and inspire future generations to explore and protect the planet.
The institution is guided by the UAE’s commitment to environmental education, with climate awareness, sustainability, and youth engagement forming central pillars of its mission.
The museum will also host public programmes, educational workshops, and community-led initiatives designed to make natural history accessible to a broad audience.
Through these efforts, it seeks to encourage critical thinking, responsible action, and active participation in shaping a sustainable future.
The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi becomes part of a growing cluster of global cultural institutions on Saadiyat Island, joining Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and the forthcoming Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
