Dubai: Thousands of years ago, deep in the deserts of Dubai, Saruq Al Hadid flourished - a bustling Iron Age settlement where community thrived and traders exchanged goods from across the region.Today, you can explore the fascinating legacy of this settlement at the Saruq Al Hadid Museum in Dubai’s historical Al Shindagha neighbourhood.The site was discovered in 2002 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who spotted an unusual patch of dark sand during a helicopter flight over the desert. The discovery led archaeologists to one of the richest archaeological sites ever found in the UAE.Here is all you need to know about the history of Saruq Al Hadid and how you can get a glimpse of what life was like in Dubai thousands of years ago.A discovery from the airAccording to Dubai Culture, in 2002, during a helicopter ride over the Rub Al Khali or The Empty Quater, Sheikh Mohammed noticed an area of sand that appeared darker than the surrounding dunes. Curious about the unusual landscape, he returned with Emirati and international archaeologists to investigate, leading to the discovery of what is now recognised as one of the UAE's most important archaeological sites – Saruq Al Hadid.Excavations revealed evidence of an advanced Iron Age community that specialised in metal production and maintained extensive trade links across the region.What does Saruq Al Hadid mean?The name Saruq Al Hadid translates to ‘Path of Iron’ or ‘Way of Iron’, reflecting the enormous quantities of iron slag (the byproduct left over when iron ore is melted) and metal remains that were found at the site. The discoveries pointed to the site’s rich history during the Iron Age. Archaeologists believe the settlement played a crucial role in manufacturing and trading metal goods, making it one of the region's most significant industrial hubs of its time.The artefacts of Saruq Al HadidPhoto credit: Government of Dubai Media OfficeOnce the excavations began, archaeologists uncovered thousands of artefacts, including:Bronze, ceramic and stone vesselsIron and bronze daggers, swords, axes and arrowheadsGold and silver artefactsBronze ornamentsDecorative beads made from precious and semi-precious stonesLocal and foreign seals, indicating a bustling tradeA gold ring that was unearthed at the site also became the inspiration behind the iconic Expo 2020 logo and the shape of the Al Wasl Plaza.Photo credit: WAMPhoto credit: WAMMore to unearthEven after two decades, researchers are continuing their work at the site, with Khalifa University of Science and Technology recently discovering remains of what could be a boundary wall or ancient building buried underground.How you can visit the Saruq Al Hadid MuseumWhile the site itself is deep in the Empty Quarter, you can learn more about the site’s history and archaeological significance and even view the artefacts that have been unearthed at the site at the Saruq Al Hadid Museum in Al Shindagha.You can access the museum by purchasing tickets for the Al Shindagha museum, which can be done online, or at the museum site.How to get thereIf you’re driving to the museum, take the D92 Khaleej Road and follow the signs for Shindagha Museum as you approach the Infinity Bridge. You can park in the public parking area along Al Khaleej Street.If you are taking public transport, the closest station is the Al Ghubaiba Metro station on the Green Line, which is a two-minute walk from the museum.Ticket pricesAdults: AED 50Children (5 to 24 years): AED 20Group ticket (five people or more): AED 40 per personChildren under five years of age enter for free.To book the tickets online, visit: https://museumtickets.dubaiculture.gov.ae/shindagha/gridSale/tickets?locale=en-GB
