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After the museum’s success and an expanding collection of artefacts uncovered by a local excavation team from Sharjah Archaeology Authority, His Highness directed its relocation to a larger venue. This new, more spacious location opened in May 1997, four years after the museum’s debut.
Since then, Sharjah Archaeology Museum has invited visitors to embark on a journey through the emirate’s rich history, showcasing human life in the region from the Stone Age to the rise of Islam. Excavations have revealed that Sharjah has been continuously inhabited for over 125,000 years, offering a profound connection between the present and its ancient past.
Sharjah Archaeology Museum boasts a prime cultural location amidst several significant landmarks in the emirate. Nestled in Al Abar area, it is positioned between Sharjah Archaeology Authority and Halwan Child Center on Sheikh Rashid Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Road, which connects to Sharjah Broadcasting Authority and Sharjah Science Museum.
Open daily from Saturday to Thursday, the museum welcomes visitors from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, while on Fridays, it operates from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. During Ramadan, the hours are adjusted to 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Saturday through Thursday.
The museum occasionally closes for specific events. For the most accurate visiting information, contacting the museum’s management is recommended. It remains closed on Fridays during Ramadan, as well as on the 29th and 30th of Ramadan, the first day of Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha, and on Arafah Day.
Sharjah Archaeology Museum, a landmark of historical significance, boasts an extensive collection of artefacts and tools unearthed in Sharjah since 1973. This year marks the start of rigorous excavation campaigns aimed at uncovering and preserving ancient relics, which are now showcased for public education and appreciation.
Exploring the museum provides a fascinating journey through Sharjah’s history. The exhibits reveal the evolution of human settlement in the emirate, spanning from the Stone Age to contemporary times. The galleries showcase detailed reconstructions of ancient homes, graves, and tombs, as well as some of the earliest written texts from Sharjah, dating back over 2,500 years.
Further, Sharjah Archaeology Museum illuminates the social and trade connections of ancient Sharjah with other Arabian communities and far-flung civilizations, from Sindh in the east to the Mediterranean in the west.
Among its most striking exhibits are ancient weaponry, everyday tools, jewellery, and trade coins. The pottery collection also provides valuable insights into historical practices and aesthetics.
The museum’s diverse collection includes significant finds such as a Stone Age cemetery with 500 skeletal remains of nomadic shepherds. Notable artefacts also feature a gilded horse bridle from approximately 2,000 years ago, a ceramic camel sculpture, a perforated ceramic dome topped with a bull statue, and an ivory comb.
Sharjah Archaeology Museum invites visitors of all ages to explore its diverse offerings. A key highlight for younger audiences is the "Little Archaeologist Hall" which opened in May 2022 by Sharjah Museums Authority.
Tailored for children aged 5 to 12, this hall provides an interactive and stimulating experience, using innovative methods and models to bring the emirate’s ancient artefacts and history to life. Through engaging activities and sensory experiences, children can delve into the Stone Age and early centuries AD, sparking their curiosity and broadening their understanding.
In addition, the Little Archaeologist Hall introduces young visitors to the origins of art among Sharjah’s ancient inhabitants, including rock painting, which laid the groundwork for written communication. Children also explore the historical relationship between these early people and the animals they interacted with, learning how animals were domesticated and integrated into their homes.
As they navigate through the hall, children gain insights into how ancient residents used natural resources to craft essential tools such as hunting implements, weapons, and currency. The hall also illustrates traditional construction methods, showcasing how homes were built using mud or adobe bricks, enriching their appreciation for ancient craftsmanship.
To enhance visitor comfort and enjoyment, Sharjah Archaeology Museum offers an array of facilities and services. The museum provides a prayer room, ample parking spaces, a well-stocked library, accessible restrooms, an audio guide, Wi-Fi, first aid kits, emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and a gift shop.
Furthermore, it boasts a dedicated entrance for individuals with disabilities and amenities specifically designed for mothers, including a room with a changing table.
Sharjah Archaeology Museum has published a comprehensive array of historical books that delve into the artefacts and heritage of the emirate of Sharjah. Notable titles include: Sharjah's artefacts tell its history, The history of currency in Mleiha, Sharjah antiquities: a curated collection from Sharjah Archaeology Museum, and Ancient inscriptions and writings in the emirate of Sharjah.
A visit to the museum requires an entry fee of 5 AED for children aged 2 to 12 and 10 AED for adults over 13. School and university groups, however, can enjoy free admission with a prior reservation. Additionally, certain groups are exempt from fees, such as individuals with disabilities, children under two, and seniors over 60, each accompanied by one caregiver.
Moreover, admission is free on specific days: Commemoration Day on December 1, UAE National Day on December 2, and International Museums Day on May 18.
References
[1] sharjahmuseums.ae, Sharjah Archaeology Museum
[2] sharjahmuseums.ae, The Complete Accessibility Guide Sharjah Archaeology Museum
[3] visitsharjah.com, Sharjah Archaeology Museum
[4] sharjahevents.ae, Sharjah Archaeology Museum
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