The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is featured in National Geographic Arabia magazine. The article was written by Richard Conniff, and the photographer was Craig Cutler.  You can read a sample of the article here.

(From left to right: Sara Almarzooqi, Professor Donald Johanson, Dr Peter Kjaergaard, and Dr Mark Jonathan Beech)

I was recently honoured to meet Professor Donald Johanson, the American palaeoanthropologist, when he visited the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, to be reunited with “Lucy”. In 1974 he discovered “Lucy”, also known as “Dinkinesh” (Amharic: ድንቅ ነሽ, ‘you are marvellous‘), Australopithecus afarensis, at Hadar in the Afar region of northern Ethiopia. “Lucy” is a  40 per cent complete skeleton of one of the most important early human ancestors. The famed 3.2-million-year-old fossil transformed our scientific understanding of humanity’s origins. “Lucy” is on temporary loan to the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi courtesy of the Ethiopia Heritage Authority. She has been placed on display in the Human Story Gallery from the opening of the museum on 22 November 2025 and will remain here up until 23 March 2026, after which she will return home to Ethiopia.

Special thanks go to Abebaw Ayalew Gella (Director-General of the Ethiopia Heritage Authority) and Sahleselassie Melaku (Department Head and Research Associate Palaeontology and Paleoanthropology, National Museum of Ethiopia) for their kind assistance and support to make this all happen.

 

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The National, 12 February 2026
From Ethiopia to Abu Dhabi: What Lucy, our prehuman ancestor, teaches us 50 years after discovery

The National, 27 November 2026
Lucy at Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi: 3.2-million-year-old fossil now on display

Professor Donald Johanson and Dr Mark Jonathan Beech (centre), Robin Johanson (right), Dr Peter Kjaergaard (third from right) and Tine Jess (fourth from right) meet local staff at the Faya Palaeolandscape UNESCO World Heritage site in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

I was honoured to be mentioned in a recent publication by the renowned Bulgarian archaeozoologist, Zlatozar Boev, who works at the National Museum of Natural History in Sofia, Bulgaria. Details of the publication are as follows:

Boev, Z. 2025. History of the Archaeozoology in Bulgaria—Fields, Researchers and Achievements for 120 Years. Quaternary 8: 73 . https://doi.org/10.3390/quat8040073

The article mentions the following contributions by myself and colleagues:

Although extremely rare, archaeomalacological studies in Bulgaria have also been conducted by foreign archaeozoologists. The mollusks at Nicopolis ad Istrum have been studied in detail by Beech, M. The Mollusca. In Nicopolis ad Istrum. A Late Roman and Early Byzantine City. The Finds and the Biological Remains; Poulter, A.G., Ed.; Oxbow Books; The Society of Antiquaries of London: London, UK, 2007; pp. 293–297+307–318. ISBN 978-184217-182-0 1-84217-182-8. ISSN 0953-7163.

Twenty-one freshwater and marine species of fish from the ancient town of Nicopolis-ad-Istrum (CN Bulgaria) have been found by Beech, M.J. and Irving, B. The fish remains. In Nicopolis ad Istrum. A Late Roman and Early Byzantine City. The Finds and the Biological Remains; Poulter, A.G., Ed.; Oxbow Books; The Society of Antiquaries of London: London, UK, 2007; pp. 224–241+307–318:  Without exaggeration, we can consider that study, although by foreign researchers, is the first archaeoichthylogical study in Bulgaria.

The mammalian remains from Nicopolis-ad-Istrum have also been subject to detailed study:

Beech, M. 1997. The economy and environment of a Roman, Late-Roman and Early Byzantine town in North-Central Bulgaria: The mammalian fauna from Nicopolis-ad-Istrum. Anthropozoologica  25–26: 619–630.

Beech, M. 2007. The Environmental Archaeology Research Programme at Nicopolis: Methodology and results. Proc. Br. Acad.  141: 219–248.

Beech, M. 2007. The large mammal and reptile bones. In: Nicopolis ad Istrum. A Late Roman and Early Byzantine City. The Finds and the Biological Remains; Poulter, A.G., Ed.; Oxbow Books; The Society of Antiquaries of London: London, UK, pp. 154–197 + 307–318.

I was very proud to be amongst the first visitors to enter the Zayed National Museum when it opened to the public today, Wednesday 3rd December 2025 at 10:00 AM.  It was fantastic to wander around the beautiful  building, visiting two galleries on the ground floor: “Our Beginning” and “Through Our Nature”, and then four galleries on the second floor: “To Our Ancestors”, “Through Our Connection”, “By Our Coasts” and “To Our Roots”… Followed by lunch sitting outside the Al Ghaf Cafe, and then a wander through the Al Masar Garden.

I was particularly happy to see some of the artefacts which I helped to discover from the excavations I directed on the important Neolithic  settlements on Marawah, Delma, and Ghagha Islands,  as well as on the Christian church and monastery on Sir Bani Yas Island. This was work carried out during my time working for the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey (ADIAS) between 1994 and 2006, and then with the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) between 2006-2012, the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) between 2012-2018, and then with the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) between 2018-2024.  Here are some photos taken during the visit:

The Marawah Ubaid vase
This was discovered in 2004 within area A, Room 1 of a tripartite structure, at site MR11 on Marawah Island in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi emirate. It dates to around 5500 BCE.  The following publications discuss this find:

Beech M., R. Cuttler, D. Moscrop, H. Kallweit & J. Martin. 2005. New evidence for the Neolithic settlement of Marawah Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies  35: 37-56.  Download here

Méry, S., M.J. Blackman, M.J. Beech & K. Lidour. 2016. 5500 av. notre ère: le vase de Marawah MR11 et l’Obeid du Golfe. Chapter 17, Pages 155-174, in: B. Perello and A. Tenu (eds.), Parcours d’Orient: Receuil de textes offert à Christine Kepinski. Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, Oxford.  Download here

The Stucco panels from Sir Bani Yas Island

I was part of the original archaeological team from the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey (ADIAS) team which discovered the Sir Bani Yas Church and Monastery on Sir Bani Yas Island in 1994. This sites dates to the 7th to 8th centuries CE, and belonged to the Church of the East.  Thirty one years later, I am proud that the material we originally excavated is now finally going on permanent display at the Zayed National Museum for everyone to see!

The following publications mention these finds:

Department of Culture and Tourism (Noura Hamad Al Hameli, Richard Cuttler and Mark Jonathan Beech). 2023. The Church and Monastery of Sir Bani Yas. Abu Dhabi Culture.
ISBN: 978-9948-776-67-3.  Download here

Beech, M. 2009. Archaeology of the Late Pre-Islamic to Early Islamic Period with a particular focus on recent discoveries on Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi Emirate. Pages 99-112 (english version); Pages 105-118 (arabic version). In: New Perspectives on Recording UAE History. Proceedings of the International History Conference, New Perspectives on Recording UAE History, National Center for Documentation and Research 40th Anniversary Conference (23-25 November 2008). National Center for Documentation and Research, Abu Dhabi, UAE. ISBN 978-9948-05-071-1.  Download here

Last updated: 4 December 2025: 10:51 AM (GST Gulf Standard Time)

Today marked the public opening of the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.  Visit our website now to book tickets: www.nhmad.ae/en

We had over 7,000 visitors on our first day!

Last updated: 23 November 2025: 00:15 AM (GST Gulf Standard Time)

I was very honoured to give a VIP tour of the Late Miocene gallery (Abu Dhabi 7 million years ago) at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi to His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, and to His Excellency, Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

You can see some photos of their visit and watch a video about their visit by clicking here.

Last updated: 4 December 2025: 00:15 AM (GST Gulf Standard Time)

I was honoured to make a presentation at ICOM 2025 Dubai in the NATHIST committee session held on Saturday 15 November 2025 at the Terra Pavilion at Dubai Expo City.

This was in a session entitled – Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Museums: Challenges and Ethics in Exhibiting Living Knowledge Systems, moderated by Phaedra Fang (Secretary of ICOM NATHIST) in Session 2 from 14:00 – 14:30 PM.

The presentation was entitled:

Abu Dhabi 7 million years ago – the making of a new gallery at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi

The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi has curated an exceptional gallery dedicated to the Late Miocene fossils discovered in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi emirate in the United Arab Emirates. This gallery is a significant scientific and cultural endeavour, showcasing fossils that date back approximately 7 million years. The exhibition provides a comprehensive insight into the prehistoric biodiversity of the region, highlighting the rich palaeontological heritage of Abu Dhabi. The gallery features an extensive collection of Late Miocene fossils, meticulously collected and documented from the Al Dhafra region. Some of these fossil sites were first discovered by the local Bedouin communities, who kindly shared their knowledge. These sites offer invaluable insights into the fauna and flora that once thrived here. The museum has incorporated highly detailed, scientifically accurate reconstructed models of the animals that existed during this period. These models are crafted to provide visitors with a vivid and immersive understanding of the prehistoric ecosystem. The gallery serves as an educational platform, offering visitors the opportunity to learn about the evolutionary history and environmental changes that have shaped the region over millions of years. The Baynunah Formation is unique within the Arabian Peninsula due to its rich assemblage of Late Miocene fossils. This formation is particularly significant as it is one of the few sites in the Arabian Peninsula where such a diverse range of terrestrial vertebrate fossils has been discovered, offering a rare glimpse into the ancient biodiversity of the area.

Full name of authors: Mark Jonathan Beech¹ and Luca Bellucci²

Museum/Organisation:  Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi

Position: Acting Head – Geoscience¹ and Curator – Geoscience²

Mark Jonathan Beech¹
Dr. Mark Jonathan Beech is a distinguished palaeontologist and archaeologist known for his extensive work in the United Arab Emirates, particularly in the field of Late Miocene palaeontology, prehistoric archaeology and environmental archaeology. He serves as Acting Head of Geoscience at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi at the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi. Dr. Beech specializes in the study of ancient environments and human interactions with them, with a particular emphasis on the Arabian Peninsula’s palaeontological and archaeological record.

Luca Bellucci²
Dr Luca Bellucci is a noted paleontologist recognised for his contributions to the study of ancient life and ecosystems. He serves as Curator of Geoscience at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. Dr Bellucci is involved in research that enhances the understanding of prehistoric life, focusing on fossil records and their implications for evolutionary biology.

Last updated: 15 November 2025:  15:00 PM (GST Gulf Standard Time)

I have a new publication which appears in a new book :

Méry, S. and Lidour, K. 2025. Umm al-Quwain 2: A Neolithic settlement and graveyard in the United Arab Emirates. Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, Bicester. ISBN 978-1-80583-125-9. ISBN 978-1-80583-126-6 (e-Pdf).

You can download a PDF (14.8 MB) of this book from ArchaeoPress by clicking here.

My contribution is part of this chapter:

Lidour, S. Méry, M.J. Beech, L. Yeomans, M. Mashkour, K. Debue, S. Bréhard, C. Dupont and J. Martin. 2025. Animal economy and subsistence strategies at UAQ2, Pages 162-200, in: Méry, S. and Lidour, K. 2025. Umm al-Quwain 2: A Neolithic settlement and graveyard in the United Arab Emirates. Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, Bicester.  ISBN 978-1-80583-125-9. ISBN 978-1-80583-126-6 (e-Pdf).

More specifically, on the Neolithic fish bones from the site:

Beech, M.J. and Yeomans, L. 2025. Marine fish. Pages 164-175, in: Méry, S. and Lidour, K. 2025. Umm al-Quwain 2: A Neolithic settlement and graveyard in the United Arab Emirates. Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, Bicester.  ISBN 978-1-80583-125-9. ISBN 978-1-80583-126-6 (e-Pdf).

Last updated:  15 November 2025: 15:00 PM (GST Gulf Standard Time)

Today marks the launch of the new website for the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.

Please come and visit us at : https://www.nhmad.ae/en

The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will open to the public on Saturday 22nd November at 10 AM.

The museum’s opening days and hours will be as follows:

I am co-author of a new publication on dugongs in the Arabian Gulf region. This is Chapter 4 in the Global assessment report on the status of dugongs in the world, prepared by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals CMS, and published in their Technical Series:

Marsh, H., Alqahtani, T., Arosa, S., Beech, M., Blair, D., Burt, J.A., Das, H., Khamis, A., Loates, P., Marshall, C., McKenzie, L., Pilcher, N., Rabaoui, L., and Wong, J. (2025). Arabian/Persian Gulf. Chapter 4 [Pages 97-122 ] in Marsh, H., Loates, P.J. and Schramm, L. (eds.). Global assessment of dugong status and conservation needs. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals CMS. Technical Series Publication No. 51.
ISBN: 978-3-937429-40-3  https://doi.org/10.25903/0ncx-v838

You can download the:

PDF (Main report) – Published version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.
Download (34MB)

PDF (Executive summary) – Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.
Download (4MB)

You can also watch a video about this report at:

Last updated: 17 October 2025: 12:46 AM (GST Gulf Standard Time)