Description

Al Ain Museum, the oldest in the UAE, is located next to the Eastern Fort (Sultan Bin Zayed Fort) on the eastern side of Al Ain Oasis. Built by former UAE President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, it houses archaeological finds from the region, including Hafit-era 'beehive' tombs. Inaugurated by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan on 2 November 1971, the museum has two main sections focusing on ethnography and archaeology, featuring Bronze Age artifacts from Mezyad and Hili Archaeological Parks. Plans for restoration were announced in October 2018. The museum covers an area of 1,200 square meters.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1918–2004) was an Emirati leader, credited with founding the United Arab Emirates. He governed the Eastern Region before becoming Abu Dhabi's ruler in 1966 and later the UAE's first president until his passing in 2004. Revered as the "Father of the Nation," he played a pivotal role in uniting the seven emirates. Zayed succeeded his brother as Abu Dhabi's ruler after a peaceful coup in 1966.