Online exhibitions

Fast paced development and transformation of the region was encouraged, but needed to be balanced by concerns about loss of traditional lifestyles and values.

When people think of the UAE, the images that frequently come to mind are the country’s impressive feats of modern architecture. Indeed, one of the major themes of recent Gulf history has been the region’s rapid modernisation and technological development. The Arabian Gulf Digital Archives provide a fascinating insight into the early stages of this transformation.

The discovery and exploitation of oil resources is one of the main topics of the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive. The archive opens up a rich collection of historical records, including treaties, maps, and concession agreements, which document the huge changes brought about by the discovery of oil.