You are greeted immediately upon entering by massive dinosaur skeletons from eons past. The immense Barosaurus watches as you parous the gift shop; the impossibly long neck of the Brachiosaurus bends to greet you as you purchase tickets. You are surrounded by a host of some of the most complete dinosaur skeletons in the world, bidding you come and see what the universe around us has in store. As you begin your journey through the natural world, you begin in the cosmos, surrounded by meteorites from outer space that have made their home on Earth. You can look at the fossils of some of the earliest life forms that left their imprint on our planetary abode. As you march through the eras, you see the progression of increasingly complex life. Every dinosaur a child could want to see is here: Velociraptors, Brontosaurus, Pachycephalosaurus, Triceratops, Brachiosaurus, and the king of them all, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. While casts and replicas of bones finish these skeletons with pieces yet to be discovered, the Museum “spared no expense” to acquire the most complete skeletons possible. Chief among these is the king himself, Stan, the most complete Tyrannosaurus skeleton in the world.
Boneyard: Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi
From dinosaurs, to oil, and back as fossils
On the edge of the Arabian desert, you find an oasis in Abu Dhabi. Amid the hustle and bustle of international business and finance, there is a place to stop and ponder our place in the grand tapestry of life: the Natural History Museum of Abu Dhabi. The building’s geometrical and angular structure contrasts with the sleek steel, glass, and concrete business parks. The pristine shine of the exterior is even brighter than the glass on skyscrapers many times larger and taller. Covered in greenery, this peculiarly shaped building is designed to mimic basalt columns produced by magma flow, contrasting sharply with the sleek skyline around it. However impressive the exterior appears, all the glories of the world lie within the white walls.
Once you “oohh’d” and “ahh’d” at the ancient bones, you proceed to look at replicas of all manner of creatures that are still with us today. You can watch videos of creatures that soar high in the heavens or deep into the unfathomable depths of the oceans. All that you could ponder in creation can be found in Abu Dhabi’s offering to the discourse on the world around us. Truly a remarkable place to wonder about our place in the cosmos. It is also incredibly family-friendly, with children’s exhibits that allow young learners to interact with any number of dinosaurs and living creatures. The Natural History Museum of Abu Dhabi is a must-visit for locals and vacationers alike.
