Ahmed Al Mansoori’s collection isn’t covered by guide books. But the Crossroads of Civilisations Museum in Dubai provides an opportunity to honour treasures of the Middle East’s rich history.
Inside a traditional home in Dubai’s Shindagha Heritage Village is an extraordinary collection of ancient artefacts.
They include a 2,000-year-old Roman torch, awarded to winners of games, a gladiator’s sword from Palestine from between 1000BC and 1200BC, a 1000BC small Egyptian wooden mummy case and bronze and white limestone eyes used for statues in ancient Egypt, 25 centuries ago.
Welcome to the Crossroads of Civilisations Museum, or Ahmed Al Mansoori’s private collection of rare antiquities, manuscripts, artefacts and weapons.
There is a growing number of such museums, away from the beaten track and neglected by tourism websites.
“The focus is now more on heritage and modern history, and so often people skip these kinds of museums, especially if they are not advertised nationally and internationally,” says Mr Al Mansoori, an FNC member who has been collecting antiques and rare documents since childhood. He was intrigued by historic items belonging to elders in his family and, gradually, as he grew older, they allowed him to view the more fragile artefacts, increasing his sense of curiosity and appreciation for the old and the forgotten.
“I really loved discovering my family’s artefacts. I then started collecting items from across the world related to the story of my country and the region and beyond,” says Mr Al Mansoori, 44.
From Sumeria to Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt and Greece, Syria, Yemen, China and beyond, his collection highlights the history of the region and the development of humanity.
“Crossroads of Civilisations Museum reflects the true old spirit of the UAE, where civilisations crossed and exchanged goods and culture as they do today with the country a hub for so many cultures and nationalities,” he says.
The museum has a home setting and includes a courtyard. A stroll through it, viewing the hundreds of items and the stories they tell, is a relaxing experience.
The experience includes an 1800BC pottery figurine of a naked woman representing the goddess of dance in ancient Babylon and a small bronze harp from the city of Ur, capital of the Sumerians, from 2100BC; a pilgrim flask made of porous, unglazed clay in the Arabian Gulf more than 2,000 years ago used keep the contents cool – using a technique used in the region to this day; and a copper tray with inscriptions and motifs telling the story of the Prophet Joseph, which was made at the end of the 19th century AD by Arab Jews in Yemen during the Imamate time.
This month, the museum is expanding to two more houses, to give the collection more space to display.
“Even before I opened this museum, I would invite people over to my house to see some of my collection,” Mr Al Mansoori says. “I like to share things with people. I believe history belongs to all humanity. I believe I don’t have the right to hold any story of history just to myself. Every piece I have adds something to mankind’s story.”
All of the pieces are certified and researched by international experts, with a book soon to be published on the collection. “There are many collectors in the country, and each of us has different interests and so we have different collections. We should be encouraged to exhibit, not hide, treasures, so that everyone can learn and enjoy,” he says.
A rare Kiswah of the Kaaba (the cloth that covers the Kaaba in Mecca) sent by the Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1543 was on display at book fairs and other events in the UAE before finding a permanent home at the museum.
One item is a first edition of the book Voyage to the Oriental Indies by the Italian jeweller, author, merchant and pearl seeker, Gasparo Balbi, and printed in Italy in 1590. Balbi visited most of the islands in the Arabian Gulf and reached Japan in 1579. The book mentions Dubai, Umm Al Qaiwain, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Sir Bani Yas, Dibba, Khor Fakkan and Kalba.
“This book is very rare. It is printed and translated to several languages, with most of the copies still in Japan because it is the first to document modern names of the Japanese islands,” says Mr Al Mansoori. He says there are only 21 copies recorded and that his copy belonged to a high-ranking royal Venetian. Other books include a Hebrew manuscript dating to the 4th century, old Qurans and Bibles, as well as maps from different periods.
“Especially as the Middle East is in turmoil with ancient civilisations of Syria, Iraq and Palestine under constant threat and destruction, we should reflect on their stories and honour what treasures came out of there,” he says.
A common feature across the ancient civilisations is the depiction of animals and birds, on vases, as figurines, or as idols or toys. “I like animals so I collect any artefacts with an animal theme,” Mr Al Mansoori says. “The bull before was quite popular, a sign of wisdom and strength. It has fallen out of favour, and now a sign of stubbornness and used in insults.” One prominent item is a bull-shaped piece of pottery from between 3500BC and 3800BC, decorated in black to suggest wisdom and power, from the Ubaid culture in the Uruk region in Mesopotamia and the Arabian Gulf coast.
“We weren’t told in our childhood about our history, we were told to just to look to the future. That is why we moved ahead quickly. Then slowly we started discovering ancient links and our deep history,” he says. “Through museums like this, we get to discover how we learnt from other civilisations and what influences they left on us and what we left on them. Museums create an important dialogue, tolerance and respect for other cultures.”
• For more details, visit www.themuseum.ae. Tickets are Dh30. Open Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 5pm, and Saturday, 10am to 4pm.
rghazal@thenational.ae
Other lesser known museums to discover
Zayed Centre in Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen district: Full of personal memorabilia of the late Sheikh Zayed, such as his cars, perfumes, hunting trophies and photos capturing all stages of his life. There is also a small Abu Dhabi police history section and one dedicated to oil history. 8am to 3pm, Sunday to Thursday (closed over the weekend). Free. Telephone 02 665 9555.
http://visitabudhabi.ae/en/see.and.do/attractions.and.landmarks/cultural.attractions/zayed.centre.aspx
Emirates National Auto Museum, Abu Dhabi. Some 45 kilometres south of Abu Dhabi city, a 'pyramid' houses around 200 cars belonging to Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan. Collection of old cars, and one commercial plane, and one of the world's largest lorry can be visited here. Ticket 50 Dh 9am to 6pm seven days a week, but are subject to change. Best to call before hand +971 55 7492155. Location: Hamim Road, Off E11, Al Gharbia.
There is also a Sharjah Classic Car Museum. Saturday to Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Located on Airport Road — between the 4th and 5th intersections, next to Sharjah International Airport and opposite Sharjah Discovery Centre. telephone: +971(6)-558 0222
Dubai Municipality Museum: history of this civic body, with manuscripts, official documents and rare photographs on display. Next to the Spice Souq, in Ras, opposite Dubai Creek. 8am — 2pm. Sunday to Thursday. Free. Telephone: 04 2253312.
Dubai Police Museum: Photos, logos, uniforms and collections of weapons on display. Near Al Mulla Plaza. Visitors must request access from Dubai police, 9.30am — 1.30pm. Daily except weekends and official holidays. Free. Telephone: 04 6099831/2 email: mail@dubaipolice.gov.ae.
Dubai Womens Museum: Everything you ever wanted to know about Emirati women, from their clothes to traditions, as well as an entire floor dedicated to the poet Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi, known as Fatat Al Arab, the "Girl of Arabs." Near Deira's Gold Souq. Open Saturday to Thursday 10am – 7pm. Telephone: +971 4 234 2342. Ticket: 20 Dh.
Traditional Games and Toys Museum, Heritage Area of Sharjah. The house is supervised by Obeid bin Sandal, the godfather of traditional games, where one can learn and play traditional childhood games. Timings are not set, best to call first: Tel 06 5010106 or 06 5682040. It is one of many little museums in the area inside traditional homes and worth a day visiting the different ones.
The Museum and Centre of the Navigator Ahmed Bin Majid, Marrid Street, Ras Al Khaimah. Celebrating history of maritime culture, the museum is dedicated to the legendary Arab sailor and navigator Ibn Majid, who is believed to have been born about 1432 (835 Hijri), in Julfar, Ras Al Khaimah. Except Friday, open daily from 8am to 2pm. Free. Best to call beforehand as it is not always open. Contact: Nassir Al Kas, the president and founder of the museum: 050 647 4560.
