{
  "id": 15125947,
  "title": "Zayed National Museum to showcase 7,000 years of camel history in landmark exhibition",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/zayed-national-museum-to-showcase-7-000-years-of-camel-history-in",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-17T04:52:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/uae/abu-dhabi/zayed-national-museum-to-showcase-7000-years-of-camel-history-in-landmark-exhibition-1.500713106"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Abu Dhabi is set to unveil a groundbreaking exhibition titled Tracks Through Time: The Camel in Society, Trade and Art at the Zayed National Museum. This exhibition marks the first time that more than 7,000 years of camel history will be showcased publicly.\n\nThe ancient camel that inspired this exhibition died on the Abu Dhabi coast over 6,000 years ago. Its bones, discovered in the Baynunah area, will be displayed for the first time in December. The exhibition explores the camel's role in society, trade, and art over the centuries.\n\nThe exhibition is the first of its kind to explore over 7,000 years of camel history. The domesticated camel, which today is integral to UAE culture and economy, was first domesticated in the south-east of the Arabian Peninsula, between 1100 and 1800 BCE.\n\nGenetic studies have shown that wild dromedaries from the UAE's south-east coast were among the founders of the domestic camel's gene pool. These animals, which fed among coastal mangroves, were among the first to be domesticated.\n\nThe camel has been a source of transport, milk, meat, hides, and salt. It's been used to pay zakat, and its milk is now sold internationally. Camel racing and beauty contests are also part of the camel's modern day economy. The exhibition will highlight these aspects, featuring archival photographs, film footage, oral testimonies, and recordings of camel-calling traditions.\n\nOther objects on display include an 1840s children's book on camel species and their uses, rock art from Fujairah some 3,000 years old, and camels on UAE postage stamps. The exhibition aims to give the camel its due prominence, showcasing its journey from wild animal to symbol of prestige in UAE culture.",
  "summary": "Abu Dhabi: More than 6,000 years ago, a wild camel died on the coast of what is now Abu Dhabi. Its bones lay in the ground at Baynunah until archaeologists dug them up. This December, they will go on public display for the first time. They are among the centrepieces of Tracks Through Time: The Camel in Society, Trade and Art, the first temporary exhibition at Zayed National Museum, opening in…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}