Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid inaugurates Saruq Al Hadid museum

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurates the Saruq Al Hadid Museum. Wam

The museum contains artefacts unearthed at an ancient site in Dubai that dates back to the Iron Age. Wam

Some of the items on display at the Saruq Al Hadid Museum at Al Shindagha, in Bur Dubai. Wam

Tools on display at the museum. Wam

Sheikh Mohammed watches a short film about the discovery of the Saruq Al Hadid site. Wam

DUBAI // Thousands of gold, bronze and iron pieces discovered at an archaeological site found by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid have gone on display in Dubai.

Saruq Al Hadid Museum, which also houses fossils and clay pots found in the Rub Al Khali desert, was opened on Sunday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

Accompanied by the Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Sheikh Mohammed toured the museum and expressed pride at the country’s history as a link for different civilisations, reported the state news agency Wam.

The site was discovered by Sheikh Mohammed when he noticed sand dunes with darker colours than their surroundings while flying a helicopter over the area.

He returned to the site in 2002, with Emirati and international archaeologists who established it was inhabited by Arab tribes 5,000 years ago, according to Wam.

Sheikh Mohammed praised the efforts of Dubai Municipality and the archaeologists exploring the site.

“Museums reflect the culture of the nation. They symbolise ancient and modern civilisation of the country and a nation that has no history, has no identity,” he said.

Also at the inauguration were Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed, Mohammed Al Murr, Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, Sultan Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, Dr Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, as well as senior officials.