متحف التاريخ الطبيعي أبوظبي | |
 | |
 | |
| Established | 22 November 2025; 5 days ago (2025-11-22) |
|---|---|
| Location | Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates |
| Coordinates | 24°31′43″N54°24′13″E / 24.528601°N 54.403516°E /24.528601; 54.403516 |
| Type | Natural history museum |
| Founder | Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism |
| Director | Dr. Peter Kjærgaard[1] |
| Website | nhmad |
TheNatural History Museum Abu Dhabi (Arabic:متحف التاريخ الطبيعي أبوظبي) is anatural history museum located in the Saadiyat Cultural District ofAbu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates. It is the largest natural history institution in theMiddle East, covering the history of the universe and Earth over 13.8 billion years, and focusing particularly on the natural history of theArabian Peninsula.
The museum was conceived and developed by theAbu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism in partnership withMiral Group. The project was officially launched in March 2022. It is established not only as a public attraction but also as a scientific research, teaching institution, and educational resource. The museum officially opened its doors to the public on November 22, 2025.[2]
The Dutch architectural firmMecanoo designed the museum's 35,000 square meter structure, which is a central part of the Saadiyat Cultural District onSaadiyat Island alongside theLouvre Abu Dhabi, theZayed National Museum, andGuggenheim Abu Dhabi.[3]
The museum's exhibition structure presents a continuous narrative tracing history from theBig Bang to projections for the future of the planet. While the collection includes exhibits of global significance, it emphasizes the geological past, prehistoric fauna, and unique ecosystems of the Arabian Peninsula.[4]
The museum houses several noteworthy and rare specimens:[5]
Stan the T. rex: A near-complete skeleton of aTyrannosaurus rex, one of the best-preserved and most intact dinosaur specimens discovered, estimated to be 67 million years old. This specimen was acquired at auction for a reported sum of $31.8 million (approximately AED 117 million).[6]
Murchison Meteorite: A fragment of theMurchison meteorite, which fell inAustralia in 1969. This specimen is approximately 7 billion years old and contains pre-solar grains and organic 'stardust' compounds, offering insight into the early solar system.
Blue Whale Skeleton: A 25-meter skeleton of a femaleBlue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
Dinosaur Displays: The main atrium features a world-first display of five towering sauropods arranged in a dynamic, lifelike formation. Another notable display features twoTyrannosauruses battling over aTriceratops.
Arabian Palaeontology: Exhibits showcase unique local discoveries, including life-size models of animals that once inhabited the emirate, such as the extinct species of elephant known asStegotetrabelodon.
The main galleries are organized thematically to explore Earth's history, covering major themes such asThe Story of Earth,The Evolving World,Our World,Resilient Planet, andEarth's Future. In addition to these primary sections, the museum features specialized side galleries. These includeThe PalaeoLab,The Life Sciences Lab, a focus onArabia's Climate, andThe Human Story exhibit.[7]
The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi functions as a scientific research and teaching institution. To support these roles, its research facility provides resources for extensive studies across various fields, includingZoology,Palaeontology,Geology,Marine Biology,Entomology, and the broaderEarth Sciences. The facility also supportsMolecular research, focusing on areas such asancient DNA (aDNA) andproteomics. Additionally, the museum seeks to engage the public with science and environmental stewardship through its collections, educational programs, and a focus on fostering collaboration at national and global levels regarding sustainable change.
| Cities and areas | |
|---|---|
| Municipal regions | |
| Government | |
| Culture | |
| Transport | |
| Infrastructure | |
| History | |
| Sister Cities | |
