History & Heritage
14.10.2019
The Abu Dhabi Louvre unveils a prestigious object from the Iron Age
As part of his exhibition “Rulers and Warriors: The Age of Heroes”, the Abu Dhabi Louvre unveiled a unique piece, a rare 3,000-year-old bronze dagger, discovered in one of the most important archaeological sites in the Arab world, Saruq Al-Hadid in southern Dubai.
The Abu Dhabi Louvre recently unveiled a new piece from its exhibition “Rulers and Warriors: The Age of Heroes”, a rare bronze dagger dating back to 1000 years BC. Before being loaned by the Dubai Municipality to the museum, this artifact was discovered at the Saruq Al-Hadid archaeological site in southern Dubai, one of the most important in the Arab world.
With its slightly curved iron blade, few drawings and a lion-shaped handle, the bronze dagger could have belonged to a noble or wealthy owner such as a leader or military leader.
This is not a dagger for daily use. It is, in fact, a prestigious weapon […] the lion is a symbol that is often found in the weapon because it is above all a representation of power[/quote]undefined
This artifact is one of many objects discovered since 2002 in Saruq Al-Hadid, following the discovery of ceramic vases, semi-precious stones and shell ornaments dating from the Iron Age (between 1100 and 600 BC-C).
An exhibition with universal reach
As part of the exhibition “Rulers and Warriors: The Age of Heroes”, the dagger is displayed in a display case alongside former Iranian, Greek or Caucasian military objects such as an ax blade and a bronze sword. A diversity aimed at promoting intercultural narrative in the museum.
The ambition of the Abu Dhabi Louvre is to be a universal museum […] We are trying to highlight the long history of the United Arab Emirates, but also the way it fits into the broader picture of humanity[/quote]undefined