An invaluable pearl, dating back 8,000 years, is about to emerge from the shadows of time to shine under the spotlight of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Dubbed the “Abu Dhabi Pearl”, this prehistoric gem—considered the oldest ever discovered—will be unveiled to the public starting October 30, according to the emirate’s cultural authorities.
Unearthed on Marawah Island, off the coast of the UAE capital, the pearl was excavated by a team of archaeologists and now belongs to the Zayed National Museum. It stands as evidence of pearl harvesting practices dating back to the Neolithic era, as confirmed by radiocarbon dating, which places its formation between 5,800 and 5,600 BCE.
The pearl will be showcased in the “10,000 Years of Luxury” exhibition, where visitors will have the chance to admire this ancient treasure alongside 350 other iconic artifacts on loan from prestigious French museums. The event will run from October 30 to February 18 at the famed dome-clad museum.
For Mohammed Khalifa al-Moubarak, head of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, this discovery highlights the deep cultural and economic roots of the Gulf—long before the era of oil or cultured pearls.
Experts suggest these ancient pearls were used as trade currency with Mesopotamia, exchanged for pottery, or worn as prestige ornaments. The pearl industry, once thriving in the Gulf, reached its peak before declining in the 1930s with the rise of cultured pearls and the first oil drills.
Through this exhibition, the Louvre Abu Dhabi redefines the concept of luxury, exploring 10 millennia of history—with the Abu Dhabi Pearl as one of its most striking jewels.
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