The discovery of a Bronze Age site on the Island of Umm an Nar and the excavations at other archaeological sites in the eastern region of Abu Dhabi some 45 years ago, led Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who was Ruler of Abu Dhabi by then, to establish the museum. His Highness Sheikh Zayed who believes that a country without a past has neither present nor a future became a president of the United Arab Emirates after its foundation in 1971. One of the many steps he has taken was protection of the heritage, which he realised would be soon in danger because of development plans that he had in mind. The museum, the first to have been established in the country, was founded in 1969 and inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Mohammed al Nahyan in 1971. It had two halls when it was first founded, but only 4 years of its inauguration two more halls were added. The Department of Antiquities and Tourism which is attached to the Diwan of the Rulers Representative in the Eastern Regionis is in charge of running the museum and pays much attention to the updating the exhibits. Archaeologists are still providing the museum with finds of great historical