Abu Dhabi Opens Middle East’s Largest Natural History Museum with Two World-First Dinosaur Exhibits

A landmark addition to Saadiyat Cultural District

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, inaugurated the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi in the Saadiyat Cultural District. The museum presents a journey across 13.8 billion years of natural history, covering the formation of the universe and the development of life on Earth. It also serves as a centre for research, with facilities dedicated to scientific study and knowledge development.

The museum will open to the public from November 22. It is the largest natural history institution in the Middle East and includes exhibits and interactive displays that explain key stages in the planet’s past. A world-first display of a sauropod dinosaur herd is located in the central atrium, where five species of these long-necked dinosaurs are positioned for visitors.

Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi highlights the natural history of the Emirates and the broader region. Galleries explore the landscape of seven million years ago, when the area was a green savannah supporting several now-extinct species. Among them is a giant four-tusked elephant, displayed within the museum.

Another world-first display features two Tyrannosaurus rexes positioned in a reconstruction of a confrontation over a Triceratops. This is the first time two T. rex fossils have been shown together in this manner. The scene includes “Stan,” a 67-million-year-old specimen regarded as one of the most complete T. rex fossils. Bite marks on the Triceratops provide evidence of the encounter.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said, “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.”

The museum places education and research at its core. Along with its exhibits, it will support scientific advancement, interdisciplinary research, and programmes that encourage younger generations to explore and understand environmental and natural history topics.

Sustainability and climate awareness form part of the museum’s focus. Through education programmes and biodiversity research, the institution aims to support environmental responsibility and community engagement. Youth-centred initiatives will guide young people towards careers in science, research, and conservation.

Public programming, educational workshops, and community events will be held throughout the year to make natural history accessible to visitors. The museum positions itself as a space where scientific understanding and cultural interpretation are combined.

Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi joins the growing network of cultural institutions on Saadiyat Island, alongside Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. These institutions define the Saadiyat Cultural District as a global hub for cultural exchange, creativity, and learning.

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