His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has officially inaugurated Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.
Situated in Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Cultural District, the museum provides an exploration of 13.8 billion years of history, from the universe's formation to Earth's life story. It functions as a research hub with on-site facilities dedicated to scientific research and advancing global knowledge.
The visitor experience
On 22 November, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi opened its doors to the public.
As the largest of its kind in the Middle East, it showcases exhibits and interactive experiences that tell nature's most captivating stories, including a glimpse at the time of the dinosaurs.
Notably, the museum's atrium hosts the world's first display of a sauropod dinosaur herd, featuring five species of these long-necked giants welcoming visitors as they enter.
Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi emphasises the natural history of the Emirates and nearby regions. Its galleries transport visitors back seven million years, showcasing a time when the climate was significantly different, featuring a lush, savannah-like environment inhabited by extinct animals. Among these is a giant four-tusked elephant.
Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi; Experience Abu Dhabi
Deeper within the galleries, another world-first is on display: a scene showing Tyrannosaurus rexes engaged in battle over a Triceratops carcass.
This marks the first time two fossil T. rexes have been presented in such an active pose. Among them is 67-million-year-old 'Stan', one of the most well-preserved T. rex fossils ever found. Visitors can also see fossil evidence of this ancient fight, such as bite marks on the Triceratops.
Education and research
H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak says:
"Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is a place where knowledge meets wonder. The museum offers a different perspective of the story of life on Earth, framed for the first time through an Arabian lens.
"Bringing a new dimension to our cultural story, we are building institutions that inspire curiosity, foster learning, and connect us to the bigger questions about our world and our future, while reinforcing our conviction in culture as a strategic force for shared progress.
"Understanding our planet's past helps us protect its future, and that is the foundation of what we have built here."
Beyond the visitor experience, education and research are central to the museum's mission. It aims to enhance scientific knowledge, foster interdisciplinary research, and motivate future generations to explore, safeguard, and learn from our planet.
Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi; Experience Abu Dhabi
Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi champions climate awareness and sustainable conservation, serving as a hub for educational outreach and biodiversity research.
A key focus is on youth, aiming to educate and empower young people to become future scientists, researchers, and leaders in conservation, inspiring them to pursue careers in natural history and environmental stewardship.
The museum will also offer ongoing public programs, educational workshops, and community-driven projects to make natural history accessible to all.
Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi joins Saadiyat Island's expanding collection of cultural institutions, which includes Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and the soon-to-open Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
