Also on display are artefacts such as fine copper, alabaster
and pottery objects found in 3,000 - 4,000 year-old graves at
Al Ghusais. The main fort is a fascinating military museum.
Dubai Museum is the main museum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
It is located in the Al Fahidi Fort, built in 1787 and is
the oldest existing building in Dubai.
The museum was opened by the ruler of Dubai in 1971, with
the aim of presenting the traditional way of life in the Emirate
of Dubai. It includes local antiquities as well as artifacts
from African and Asian countries that traded with Dubai. It
also includes several dioramas showing life in the emirate
before the advent of oil. In addition to artifacts from recent
discoveries as old as 3000 B.C.
Al Fahidi Fort is square-shaped with towers occupying three
of its corners. It was built of coral rock and mortar in several
phases. Just off the southern wall lie the remains of the
city walls. Next to them stands a tall dhow (traditional boat)
in the middle of a large courtyard that covers the underground
galleries. Two canons guard the main gate to the fort on the
eastern wall, adorned by flags of Dubai and the United Arab
Emirates.
Internal halls line three of the fort walls. One hall is
at the main gate and houses the ticket office, while the others
contain a collection of old weapons and arms from different
historical periods along with a model of the city in 1820
AD. Traditional musical instruments are also displayed next
to a video of folkloric music.
The halls surround a central courtyard. Here you'll find
a canon, a well, and all kinds of boats. In the corner stands
a traditional summer house called Arish. The Arish is made
entirely from weaved palm fronds. It comprises two rooms and
a kitchen filled with household furnishings and objects used
by the locals in past times. The Arish features the distinct
wind tower design, used for air conditioning in the pre-electricity
days. |
