A PEEK INTO THE PAST AT RAK NATIONAL MUSEUM
Formerly the residence of the Ruling family until 1964, the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah, located in the old town part of the city served initially as a police headquarters and later, a prison, before being converted into a museum in 1987.
This museum occupies a 19thcentury fort and features a big rectangular tower and a smaller tower in opposite corners. Behind its antique carved wooden doors lie a wealth of archaeological finds ranging from stone tools of the Neolithic age up to the developments of the late Islamic era. Artefacts discovered at tombs in Shimal, an important site of the Bronze Age and now on display at the Museum include carnelian jewellery, metal weapons and handmade pots, amongst others.
Ras Al Khaimah’s trade links with the Mesopotamian and Indus Valley civilisations are also highlighted through the relics unearthed from local dig sites across the emirate.
The rise of Julfar, an important port between the 14th and 17th centuries, is documented through its popular painted pottery. The discovery of Chinese blue and white porcelain and Thai green celadon also suggests the presence of an extensive maritime trade network with China and parts of East Asia.
It is at the Ethnography gallery that we learn how Ras Al Khaimah’s landscape with four distinct environments – sea, fertile plains, desert and mountains – have shaped the way people have lived over the centuries. This gallery introduces us to the traditional lifestyle in the emirate, including its vernacular architecture, pearl diving, date farming, agricultural practices and fishing. This is a great place to see agricultural implements used in the past.
Tools of the pearling trade as well as equipment used for boat building are on display here including a large model of a typical sailing boat.
Traditional weapons belonging to the Ruling family including rifles and swords can be found at the Majlis while at the Natural History gallery, be prepare to be astounded by a large collection of sea shells. We learn that there are 900 species of molluscs in the UAE alone.
VISITING HOURS:
8am to 6pm: Saturday to Thursday 3pm to 7.30pm on Fridays