Photos giving insight into life in Abu Dhabi in 1960s secured for the nation
▶ The National Archives have been given images from the transformative period, writes John Dennehy
At first glance, it is simply a photograph of a camel train carrying a cargo of firewood across a water channel with a tower in the background. But the image portrays a world that few could now comprehend.
The photo was taken in Abu Dhabi in the early 1960s and shows Al Maqta causeway, separating Abu Dhabi island from the mainland.
This was Abu Dhabi’s link to the rest of modern-day UAE and, before the causeway was built, it could only be crossed safely at one point, at low tide.
The striking photo was taken by oil engineer Dr Alan Horan.
“My recollection is that I did not specifically set out to photograph the Maqta crossing,” Dr Horan told The National.
“I must have been on a journey or just exploring the island.”
Dr Horan has donated his collection of more than 200 photographs from his time in the Emirates to the UAE’s National Archives and Library.
The photos have been restored carefully to give future generations an insight into the history of Abu Dhabi. They can be viewed online on the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive. Dr Horan, who was born in Egypt and earned a PhD in Britain, arrived in Abu Dhabi in the spring of 1960.
He was appointed the chief local representative for Abu Dhabi Marine Areas Limited oil company, which made the first oil discovery in 1958.
Dr Horan’s vast collection of photos shows a city on the brink of a vast expansion.
The causeway featured in Dr Horan’s camel train photo had been built just a few years earlier to allow easier access for vehicles to pass without having to wait for low tide.
“Abu Dhabi was an island surrounded by creeks with extensive and beautiful coral reefs,” Dr Horan said. During his time in the UAE, he lived in a compound on the western side of Abu Dhabi.
“In those days there was nothing beyond us with Saadiyat Island in the distance,” he said.
Dr Horan, now in his 90s and living in London, recalled how, with strong north-westerly winds and high tide, the sea would be prone to flood parts of the city.
“This was particularly disruptive in the area where cargoes were discharged,” he said.
“Delivering cargo was complicated by the shallow waters which prevented cargo vessels approaching the jetty. The dwellings were of the ‘barasti’ style using palm fronds on wooden frames. Some houses were made of coral and mud. While the traditional business of pearl fishing had long passed, the craft of boat building and maintenance remained strong.”
Many of Dr Horan’s photos show a traditional way of life. One captures a family of young women and girls outside their traditional barasti home, while another image shows children playing with balloons outside Adma House.
An aerial photograph shows Al Maqta causeway.
However, beyond the route is an untouched world of creeks, inlets, channels, sea and sand.
Another aerial photo of what is now the Corniche shows a practically untouched expanse of sand down to Saadiyat Island.
Abu Dhabi was then ruled by Sheikh Shakhbout who Dr Horan describes as “gracious, supportive and kind”.
During the summer, when Sheikh Shakhbout spent time in Al Ain away from Abu Dhabi, Dr Horan would often visit him as part of his duties with Adma. Today, the journey is about 90 minutes by car on the motorway, but at the time, it involved an overnight camp amid rolling dunes.
“These night stops were exceptional occasions as there was complete silence and no light pollution,” said Dr Horan.
“In the morning, we proceeded to Al Ain where I met with Sheikh Shakhbout. Al Ain offered delights of clear water in the falajes, even a cool pool belonging to a local dignitary. It had extensive walled palm groves, fed by the falaj water.
“Water was always precious and the falaj water was of high quality and drinkable at the point of discharge from the mountains.
“In Abu Dhabi, only very brackish water was available from local wells. So, water was imported from Dubai, in steel tanks aboard dhows.”
Dr Horan also travelled across the country from Dubai to the Liwa oasis. An image taken in Dubai Creek shows abras, a selection of adverts for goods such as 7Up and various cigarette manufacturers, as well as a range of cars, including Land Rovers.
The marque was a popular choice, particularly for trips to Liwa.
Dr Horan took several images of Liwa that show its oases and vast desert. One in particular, of Dr Horan’s wife, Jean, walking through a date palm groove conveys the sheer vastness of the desert.
“Liwa Oasis was accessible only by Land Rover and expert driving over dunes,” he said.
“Liwa was remarkable for its isolation from the rest of … Abu Dhabi. The residents were very hospitable.”
Dr Horan left Abu Dhabi in 1962, the same year the first shipments of oil left for international markets.
He returned in the 1970s as general manager of Adma-Opco before leaving in the early 1980s.
Dr Horan had an important role in the development of Abu Dhabi’s oil industry.
He visited the UAE as a guest for the 25th anniversary of the first export of oil and he was awarded an OBE for services to British commercial interests in Abu Dhabi.
“I am honoured that my slides showing some aspects of those early days are now in the National Library and Archives,” said Dr Horan.
“The periods spent in Abu Dhabi … were essential parts of my career.
“I have very fond memories of my time serving Abu Dhabi.”