Preserving Heritage: Zayed National Museum Research Fund’s Role in Cultural Scholarship
Zayed National Museum. © Foster + Partners
In the early 1960s, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan the Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates, invited a team of Danish archaeologists to excavate the Hili site in Al Ain. These excavations were critical to Al Ain, as a result, eleven sites were listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2011. Having grown up in the area, he was deeply familiar with its terrain, and he naturally sensed its historical importance. These excavations revealed evidence of the existence of agricultural oases in the UAE, dating back more than 3,000 years, in addition to a group of artefacts dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Archaeological research in the country has revealed valuable evidence of the existence of life more than 300 thousand years ago. Archaeological research and excavations will remain a priority in the United Arab Emirates; the efforts are ongoing and will continue well into the future.
Throughout his life, Sheikh Zayed remained devoted to uncovering the history of the land and the people who had once walked the same sands, fished the same waters, and gazed at the same stars. He took deliberate steps to preserve this cultural heritage for the benefit of future generations. Inspired by these values, Zayed National Museum – located on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island and dedicated to Sheikh Zayed’s enduring legacy – established the Zayed National Museum Research Fund. The fund supports rigorous and ambitious scholarship that preserves and reinterprets the UAE and the region’s deep heritage, while fostering innovation and global knowledge exchange. Reflecting Sheikh Zayed’s lifelong commitment to sustainability, education, and cultural advancement, it invites proposaals that deepen our understanding of the nation’s history, culture, and the visionary ideals that shaped it.
Part of Zayed National Museum’s mandate is to be a world-class research institution and a trusted authority on the history and culture of the United Arab Emirates, from the ancient past to the present day. It seeks to establish this position by conducting its own research; forging partnerships with individual scholars and institutions both locally and internationally; and offering access to its diverse and growing collections to support knowledge-based projects.
Launched in 2023, the Zayed National Museum Research Fund has already supported 18 researchers from across the globe, with recipients hailing from countries including China, Egypt, India, Italy, France, Oman, Poland, the UAE, the UK, and the USA. Each year, a panel of expert review award grants from an AED 1 million pool, evaluating proposals based on methodology, relevance, potential outcomes, and alignment with the museum’s mandate. Open to scholars of all nationalities and career stages, the fund welcomes research that explores the cultural richness, historical resilience, and intellectual heritage of the UAE and the broader region.
The museum is also deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of researchers, historians, archaeologists, conservators, and cultural professionals in the UAE, encouraging more people to consider careers in these growing fields. It envisions itself as a comprehensive resource for citizens, residents, and visitors; a place where people can access in-depth information on the country’s history and culture. Its oral history collection continues to grow, providing an opportunity for individuals to share their personal memories and stories, contributing to a richer collective understanding.
Dr Peter Magee, the Director of Zayed National Museum, says:
“At Zayed National Museum, we believe that meaningful research can illuminate the past, inform the present, and inspire the future. Through the Zayed National Museum Research Fund we are proud to support innovative scholarship that not only deepens our collective understanding but also cultivates the next generation of historians, archaeologists, and cultural professionals. The Zayed National Museum Research Fund reflects a core belief of the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, that the pursuit of knowledge knows no borders. By welcoming scholars from around the world, we foster global dialogue and collaboration that enriches the study of the UAE and the wider region.”
“Zayed National Museum is more than a museum; it is an incubator for ideas and a platform for education. We are dedicated to developing the research leaders of tomorrow by offering tangible support and opportunities for emerging scholars committed to uncovering new narratives and preserving cultural heritage.”
THE RESEARCH FUND IN ACTION
The inaugural year of the Zayed National Museum Research Fund in 2023 set a compelling precedent. From a competitive pool of 77 applicants across 19 countries, ten scholars were selected to explore themes ranging from Sheikh Zayed’s societal legacy to the overlooked narratives of women in Arabian trade. Projects examined the historical connections between India and the Arabian Peninsula, investigated early Bronze Age life in Al Ain, and studied factory-made ceramics to shed light on 19th and 20th century global exchanges. These wide-ranging topics laid the groundwork for the fund’s vision: to promote research that is rigorous, innovative, and deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of the region.
To guide this mission, five thematic priorities frame the fund’s areas of focus. These include: the life and achievements of Sheikh Zayed; the archaeology and history of the UAE; its intangible heritage, especially oral histories and traditional knowledge; regional interactions with the Arabian Peninsula and South Asia from prehistory to the recent past; and public engagement through conferences and lectures.
In 2024, the Research Fund continued to expand its intellectual and disciplinary reach. Among the eight selected projects were initiatives focused on scientific and environmental inquiry, such as a pioneering study using organic residue analysis to understand ancient vessel use, and an encyclopaedia documenting the UAE’s native trees. Architecture, too, featured prominently: one project traced the story of the UAE’s ‘National House’ through typological and morphological analysis, while another mapped the country’s evolving urban identity by spotlighting its contemporary landmarks. Meanwhile, efforts to digitally preserve rock art found in the UAE’s deserts highlighted the growing role of technology in safeguarding heritage.
These projects are not only advancing the field, but they are also humanising it. At their heart are the voices, choices, and commitments of individual researchers working across borders and disciplines.
MEET THE RESEARCHERS
Associate Professor Marwan Mohamed Al Falasi Encyclopaedia of Native Trees in the UAE: Perennial and Annual Trees, Compilation, Collection, Analysis, and Commentary – Illustrated book with comprehensive content explanation
A respected academic and environmental advocate, Associate Professor Marwan Mohamed Al Falasi is leading a landmark project to document the UAE’s native plant life. His encyclopaedia of perennial and annual trees is a richly illustrated reference that blends scientific data with cultural memory. Rooted in childhood experiences and national heritage, the work aims to support sustainable agriculture, educational curricula, and conservation strategies - bridging the past and future of the UAE’s unique ecological identity.
What inspired you to create an encyclopaedia of native trees in the UAE?
There are several reasons, but the most personal is emotional; my connection to the trees I grew up under, like the ghaf, sidr, and samr, which carry the memories of my childhood and daily life. I also wanted to preserve our environmental heritage for future generations, promote national identity through knowledge, fill a gap in Emirati libraries, and support both education and scientific research.
Why is it important to document and study native trees at this point in time?
I hope the book will promote sustainable agriculture in both urban and domestic spaces, instil a sense of national belonging in younger generations, and reinforce the importance of our land and environment.
What makes the UAE’s native trees unique from a cultural or ecological perspective?
These trees are uniquely resilient – especially species like the ghaf and samr – and they play a crucial role in ecosystem balance. Culturally, they’re deeply embedded in our traditions, appearing in proverbs and Nabati poetry. They represent a balance between authenticity and sustainability, and have long served as spaces for gathering, sources of nourishment and medicine, and symbols of generosity.
What kind of research goes into compiling a book like this?
It’s a scientific documentation effort that compiles the names and characteristics of native plants using botanical texts, language dictionaries, and photographs. It records both scientific and local names, their ecological roles, traditional uses, and the state’s conservation efforts. This encyclopaedia is part of a broader documentation project that reflects the plants’ significance in shaping Emirati cultural and environmental identity.
Were there any surprising discoveries in your research?
Yes, some plants are beautiful yet toxic. For example, the ashkhar plant contains calotropin, a compound that can affect the heart muscles and therefore its function. Oleander, a perennial shrub that grows naturally in deep, rocky valleys and commonly planted on roadsides for ornamental purposes, is also poisonous. Identifying such species is vital for public health and environmental education.
How can others use this encyclopaedia?
It’s a rich educational resource and can help those with school projects to university theses in agriculture and ecology. It provides scientifically accurate information with visual aids, supports conservation planning, raises public awareness about biodiversity, and guides sustainable agriculture efforts.
What role did the Zayed National Museum Research Fund play in your project?
The fund was essential. It enabled me to purchase professional photography equipment and travel to various emirates for field documentation. It also covered editing and production costs, allowing me to present the book in an encyclopaedic format that merges detailed scientific content with compelling visuals. This grant turned an idea into a reality.
Professor Lesley Gregoricka Mobility and shifting cultural landscape among the early Bronze Age inhabitants of the Al Ain Oasis
Professor Lesley Gregoricka, a bioarchaeologist at the University of South Alabama, explores how ancient communities in the UAE adapted to environmental and cultural shifts. Her research, centered on the Al Ain Oasis, uses cutting-edge isotope analysis of human remains to trace migration and mobility patterns during the Early Bronze Age. With a focus on resilience, her work repositions southeastern Arabia as a key site in broader regional histories, offering insights into how early societies responded to climate change, agriculture, and transregional trade.
What drew you to focus on the Al Ain Oasis for this research?
Unlike much of the UAE, Al Ain was continuously inhabited throughout the late fourth and third millennia BCE, likely due to the availability of water. Jabil Hafit and Al Hili provide an exceptional lens into how inland populations adapted to cultural and environmental changes – adaptations that may have differed significantly from coastal communities.
How does your project investigate patterns of movement and interaction among early populations?
I analyse strontium and oxygen isotopes from human teeth found in Bronze Age tombs. These chemical signatures reflect where a person grew up. If the isotope ratios match those signatures local to Al Ain, the individual was likely local. If not, they may have migrated there later in life. This helps us understand whether people buried in these tombs were lifelong residents or newcomers, revealing changes in mobility and social organisation across the third millennium BCE.
How does your research contribute to our broader understanding of the UAE’s archaeological significance?
Two major shifts – the rise of oasis agriculture and late third-millennium climate change – likely impacted mobility patterns. Understanding how Umm an-Nar society adapted to such forces provides a powerful framework for interpreting resilience and innovation in the past, which remains relevant today as we face modern environmental challenges.
How does your work engage with debates on migration, territoriality, and hybridity in ancient societies?
I challenge the idea that Umm an-Nar society collapsed. Instead, I argue that their social structure made them resilient, unlike larger urban centres in the Indus Valley. I’m also examining how the adoption of oasis agriculture may have transformed social dynamics, allowing for both nomadic and sedentary lifestyles, and how these shifts coincided with changes to trade networks, architecture, and craft production.
What role does the UAE’s environment play in your interpretation of mobility?
Geological and environmental diversity across the region – different minerals, temperatures, and altitudes – creates distinct isotope signatures in local soils and water that are passed into the things we eat and drink. This allows us to determine whether ancient individuals were local or came from elsewhere, helping to reconstruct patterns of movement and cultural exchange.
What impact do you hope your work and the Zayed National Museum Fund will have?
This research broadens our understanding of smaller-scale societies in prehistory, often overlooked compared to major civilisations. By highlighting the social fluidity of Arabian communities, we gain insight into human resilience. Ultimately, I hope this work enriches the narrative of the UAE’s prehistory and connects the lives of its ancient people to our present-day challenges and successes.
Fatma Al Mazrouei History of Formal Education in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi: A Reading of Qasr Al Hosn Documents [1957–1966]
Dr Fatma Al Mazrouei – Head of the Historical Archives Department, National Library and Archives. Image courtesy of Dr Fatma Al Mazrouei
Author, poet, and historian Fatma Al Mazrouei brings a literary sensibility and a scholar’s rigour to her study of the UAE’s educational foundations. Head of the Historical Archives Section at the National Library and Archives [NLA], Al Mazrouei’s research explores formal education in Abu Dhabi from 1957 to 1966 through original documents preserved at Qasr Al Hosn. Her work illuminates how early education was inseparable from national identity, urban development, and Sheikh Zayed’s visionary leadership and how the classroom became a microcosm of a modernising nation.
What first led you to explore the history of formal education in Abu Dhabi, and why did you choose to focus on the documents at Qasr Al Hosn?
I felt a strong responsibility to document this vital chapter of our national history. Qasr Al Hosn isn’t just a seat of governance - it’s a rich archive of Abu Dhabi’s political and administrative memory. The educational documents it holds are not only about schooling; they reveal connections to national identity, economic change, and social development.
How do the documents dating from 1957 to 1966 shed light on the development of education during this formative period?
They show that education in this era wasn’t a structured policy but rather a response to urgent social needs. There are letters requesting schools in remote areas like Al-Bateen and Al-Maqtaa, and documents that reflect the introduction of educational models from Egypt and Kuwait, including curricula, school design, and administration. It was a formative phase, experimenting with external systems that were later adapted to local realities.
In what ways did your position in the National Library and Archives shape the direction of your research?
My role allowed access to administrative records often unavailable to outside researchers. More importantly, I could connect educational developments to parallel changes in health, housing, and infrastructure. Decisions to open schools often aligned with the construction of roads or clinics, revealing an integrated vision of progress. This approach allowed me to see education as a driver of broader urban and societal transformation.
Were there any documents that shifted your understanding or revealed unexpected aspects of early education in Abu Dhabi?
One memorable report from 1960 detailed parental complaints about overcrowding and lack of drinking water – showing the community’s active role in shaping education. Another was a teacher’s letter to the ruler requesting a raise due to rising living costs, offering a glimpse into the lived realities and economic pressures faced by early educators
How do the archival materials reflect Sheikh Zayed’s vision for education and development?
They show Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s unwavering belief in education as the bedrock of nation-building. His handwritten letters ordered school expansions, teacher recruitment, and even stipends for students to ease financial burdens. His vision was clear: quality education was not a luxury, but a necessity to prepare a capable, forward-looking generation.
What approach do you use to interpret and present these documents to different audiences?
I apply contextual reading, linking each document to its time, place, and conditions. I also use discourse analysis to unpack the political and administrative language. For the public, I translate these materials into digital exhibitions and multimedia formats - making the documents accessible, engaging, and alive.
How does the educational history of Abu Dhabi reflect broader social transformations in the UAE during the late 1950s and 1960s?
Education was more than instruction - it was about shaping citizens. School marked a child’s entry into state systems and civic life. It also supported the emergence of women in public life and helped unify diverse tribal and geographic communities under a shared identity.
In what ways does your work fill historical gaps in understanding education and social change in the UAE?
It goes beyond headline achievements to trace the quieter, complex processes of change - missed opportunities, grassroots voices, and behind-the-scenes negotiations. These layers add depth to our understanding of how education influenced institutional development and national cohesion.
How did the Zayed National Museum Research Fund expand the scope and impact of your research?
The fund allowed me to broaden my research beyond national borders - consulting British, Kuwaiti, and Egyptian archives - and to present findings at regional conferences. It also supported the creation of educational materials now used in schools, bridging the gap between research and community engagement.
What lasting impact do you hope this research - and the Research Fund - will have for future generations?
I hope it becomes a reference for students and educators to see how education evolved through collective will and vision. Development starts with people, not buildings. This work, and the fund supporting it, can connect new generations to their roots and help them understand how past decisions continue to shape our present and future.
Fatema Al Shehhi & Hessa Al Shehhi Reconstructing the History, Technology, and Uses of Pottery through the Study of Pottery Shards from Ras Al Khaimah Archaeological Sites
Archaeologists Fatema and Hessa Al Shehhi, working with the Department of Antiquities and Museums in Ras Al Khaimah, are shedding new light on ancient ceramic traditions in the UAE. Their collaborative project investigates pottery shards from the Umm an-Nar Shamal site to understand how these everyday objects reflect broader patterns of domestic life, craft production, and regional trade. Through scientific analysis and local knowledge, they aim to reconstruct not just how these pots were made, but how they shaped, and were shaped by, early societies in southeastern Arabia.
Can you introduce the scope of your research and what drew you to focus on pottery shards from Ras Al Khaimah specifically?
Our research explores the technological and cultural history of ancient pottery uncovered at the Umm an-Nar Shamal site in Ras Al Khaimah. This site provides a unique opportunity to investigate ceramic production, usage and trade within the broader context of the Umm Al-Nar civilisation, which played a key role in early craft and exchange networks in the region.
In your view, what can pottery shards tell us about past communities that other artefacts cannot?
Pottery shards can reveal intimate details of daily life, trade and technology through their materials, shapes and manufacturing techniques, offering insights that many other artefacts cannot provide.
How are you approaching the technological analysis of the pottery? Are there particular methods or tools that have proven especially revealing?
We plan to use scientific methods such as XRF, XRD and SEM to examine the composition and firing processes of the ceramics. These techniques allow us to delve deeply into ancient production practices.
How do your findings intersect with or challenge existing narratives about Ras Al Khaimah’s historical role in regional trade and daily life?
As the lab analysis is still underway, it’s too early for conclusions. However, we aim to offer a more nuanced view of Ras Al Khaimah’s early role in trade networks. By examining whether the pottery was locally produced or imported, our findings may challenge or refine current understandings of the region’s economic history.
What does it mean to carry out this research from within a local institution like the Department of Antiquities and Museums in Ras Al Khaimah?
Conducting this research locally ensures that it is grounded in regional context and aligned with community heritage. It also strengthens knowledge preservation, supports capacity building and reinforces the role of local institutions in cultural research and storytelling.
As two researchers working collaboratively, how do your perspectives or areas of expertise complement each other in this project?
Although we share a field, our different experiences in documentation and fieldwork add depth to the project. We divide tasks based on our individual strengths and maintain regular dialogue to refine our approach and interpretations. This collaborative dynamic fosters a productive research environment built on trust and shared purpose.
How has support from the Zayed National Museum Research Fund enabled or expanded your research, particularly in terms of access, methodology or visibility?
The grant enabled us to conduct advanced scientific analysis abroad, which would have been difficult without this institutional backing. It has also raised the profile and credibility of our work, allowing us to broaden our methods and enhance the overall impact of the research.
What do you hope the broader impact of your research will be and, in turn, the broader impact of this grant?
We hope our research lays the groundwork for future ceramic studies in the UAE and sparks greater public engagement with archaeological heritage. More broadly, the grant supports this mission by promoting local history, encouraging academic inquiry and creating meaningful opportunities for emerging researchers.