Zayed National Museum to host exhibition on 7,000-year history of camels

Zayed National Museum has announced its first temporary exhibition, Tracks Through Time: The Camel in Society, Trade and Art, scheduled to open in early December 2026.

The exhibition will explore more than 7,000 years of camel history, examining the animal's significance in the UAE and the wider region through society, trade, archaeology and artistic traditions.

Tracing the camel's journey from the earliest evidence of wild camels in the region to the living traditions practised today, the exhibition will highlight its enduring role in Emirati culture and heritage.

Rare Archaeological Discoveries to Go on Display

The exhibition will feature archaeological discoveries that provide evidence of wild camels in the UAE thousands of years ago.

Among the highlights are wild camel bones excavated from the Baynunah archaeological site in Abu Dhabi, dating to the Neolithic Period between 4,500 and 4,000 BCE. These objects are on loan from Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.

The exhibition will also present remains from Al Sufouh in Dubai, dating to the Bronze Age between 2,000 and 1,300 BCE. These artefacts have been loaned by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

According to the museum, this will be the first time detailed evidence of the now-extinct wild camel species has been presented to the public.

Exhibition Explores the Early Domestication of Camels

Visitors will also see domesticated camel bones from Saruq Al Hadid in Dubai, dating to the Iron Age between 2,600 and 550 BCE.

Loaned by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, these remains provide some of the earliest evidence globally of wild camels being tamed and raised as domesticated animals.

The discoveries will help visitors understand how camels became an essential part of life in the region, supporting communities through transportation, trade and everyday activities.

Rare Books, Rock Art and Historical Stamps Among Highlights

Beyond archaeological remains, Tracks Through Time will showcase a variety of historical and cultural objects illustrating the camel's influence on art and society.

Key highlights include:

• A rare children's book from the 1840s describing different camel species and their uses.

• Rock art depicting camels in Fujairah, dating back approximately 3,000 years.

• UAE postage stamps featuring camels across different periods.

• Archival photographs and film footage documenting camel-related traditions and practices.

Together, these objects will demonstrate how camels have inspired artistic expression and remained an important symbol of regional identity across generations.

Oral Traditions and Camel Racing Take Centre Stage

The exhibition will also explore the close relationship between camels and the communities that have cared for them throughout history.

Audiovisual displays will feature recordings of Taghrooda, a traditional poetic form associated with camel riding, and Alheda'a, a form of camel calling. Both are recognised on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Oral testimonies from camel herders and community members will provide personal perspectives on the animal's importance in everyday life and cultural practices.

The exhibition will also trace the development of modern camel traditions, including Al Hejin camel racing and Mazayna camel beauty competitions, which continue to hold cultural significance in the UAE.

Public Programme to Include Workshops and Family Activities

Alongside the exhibition, Zayed National Museum will organise a public programme featuring workshops, guided tours and activities for families.

The programme aims to encourage visitors of different ages to explore the UAE's heritage through interactive and educational experiences.

A dedicated retail collection inspired by the exhibition's themes will also be available, offering visitors additional ways to engage with the stories and traditions presented.

Zayed National Museum Highlights the Camel's Cultural Legacy

Dr Peter Magee, Director of Zayed National Museum, said the inaugural temporary exhibition celebrates the camel's profound significance in Emirati culture and the broader history of the UAE.

He explained that the exhibition reflects the museum's commitment to deepening public understanding of the country's heritage through original research, collaboration and meaningful engagement.

By bringing together archaeological evidence, historical objects, scientific research and community stories, Tracks Through Time: The Camel in Society, Trade and Art will offer visitors an opportunity to discover how the camel has shaped the UAE's history, economy and cultural identity over thousands of years.

With its opening scheduled for early December 2026, the exhibition will mark an important milestone for Zayed National Museum as it presents its first temporary exhibition dedicated to one of the region's most enduring cultural symbols.