Rare aerial archive images of UAE capture nation's transformation

Rows and rows of simple, metal canisters had been kept on archive shelves for decades.

But inside each canister was a treasure trove of priceless aerial photographs that chronicles the awe-inspiring transformation of the UAE.

The photographs, taken from the 1940s onwards, trace the sand dunes, water wells, forts and barasti homes of the past, as well as the emergence of towns, cities, airports, roads, hospitals, reclaimed land and much more against the backdrop of the discovery of oil, the unification of the UAE and rapid change since then.

But these images had been rarely seen by the public, never digitised, or made available online. Until now.

Aerial photography of the UAE is examined before being digitised at the UK's National Collection of Aerial Photography in 2024. Photo: NCAP

Aerial photography of the UAE is examined before being digitised at the UK's National Collection of Aerial Photography in 2024. Photo: NCAP

The UAE’s National Library and Archives has unveiled the first results of its landmark project with the UK’s National Collection of Aerial Photography, in a move that not only ensures the permanent survival of the unique collection but potentially transforms our understanding of the Emirates’ past.

Under a deal signed in 2024, more than 50,000 images relating to the UAE have been digitised and licensed to the NLA.

Several of the images have been posted to the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive, but it is hoped many more will be added over the next few months as the site – free and open to all – is refreshed.

“The National Library and Archives of the UAE is extremely excited to announce it has received the first part of the results of a collaboration with the National Collection of Aerial Photography in the United Kingdom,” said Dr Abdulla Majed Al Ali, NLA director general.

“The high-resolution images show the remarkable transformations that have taken place across all the emirates making up the UAE and already are proving to be an extremely valuable tool in highlighting the changes that have taken place to, for example, many of the iconic forts and locations across the UAE.”

Satellite images show the development of Abu Dhabi between 1977 and 2025. Photo: NCAP, Nour Hayani / The National

Satellite images show the development of Abu Dhabi between 1977 and 2025. Photo: NCAP, Nour Hayani / The National

The images were taken by the UK’s Royal Air Force, the US Navy and a private company called Hunting Surveys, who together undertook more than 780 photographic aerial reconnaissance missions over the region.

At least 150,000 aerial photographs of the modern-day UAE and wider Gulf region are thought to be in the collection.

In the first phase of the project, 52,500 images from 1944 to 1979 have been digitised, but future phases could include other dates.

Staff at the National Collection of Aerial Photography digitise the aerial images. Photo: NCAP

Staff at the National Collection of Aerial Photography digitise the aerial images. Photo: NCAP

The digitisation work was undertaken by the NCAP in Edinburgh, which has one of the most significant collections of aerial photography in the world. Teams at the NLA also stitched some of the images together to create remarkable digital panoramas.

By making the photographs available online, the NLA is encouraging historians, researchers, experts, universities and the public to engage with the collection.

"We will provide it to everyone," said Dr Hamad Al Mutairi, director of the archives department at the NLA.

Dr Hamad Al Mutairi, director of the archives department at the UAE's National Library and Archives. Pawan Singh / The National

Dr Hamad Al Mutairi, director of the archives department at the UAE's National Library and Archives. Pawan Singh / The National

“The more we engage with the public, the more ideas will come and they will promote not just this project or the collections, but also the history and the culture of the UAE.”

The photographs are truly remarkable – a visual record of a country that has arguably changed faster than any other. Six images supplied for this article – a mixture of two single shots and four panoramas of Abu Dhabi – showcase the potential of this collection to transform our understanding of a complex past.

The first, a panorama from March 1951, shows a world before the discovery of oil.

The town of Abu Dhabi consists of a stone fort – Qasr Al Hosn – surrounded by simple barasti huts. They sit alone by the sea, surrounded by vast expanses of sand. This was the old world, unchanged in centuries.

Only a few years earlier, explorer Wilfred Thesiger passed through here on his epic journeys across the Arabian Peninsula. It was an unforgiving era of pearl divers, camel trains and navigating choppy seas guided by the Suhail star.

But then came change.

By 1962, the first oil was exported from Abu Dhabi to international markets.

The photograph from November that year shows a roundabout and a route that has emerged in the sand next to Qasr Al Hosn. This path would become Airport Road.

Six years later, in 1968, Abu Dhabi is a town transformed.

UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, has now served two years as Ruler of Abu Dhabi and oil wealth has started to flow.

The photo, taken in May that year, shows more roads, cars and a flurry of activity on the seafront.

Early versions of Zayed the First and Hamdan bin Mohammed Streets are visible around Qasr Al Hosn.

The British Agency compound is visible, adjacent to Qasr Al Hosn.

The changes continue.

The panorama from March 1970 shows more roads, including Khalifa Street, while the makings of the modern-day Corniche has emerged.

Al Manhal Palace and Qasr Al Mushrif are visible.

On the western side of the Corniche is what would become the now-demolished Khalidiya Palace Hotel.

At the other end of the Corniche are the distinctive curves of the old Corniche Hospital.

This image shows Abu Dhabi in September 1975, nearly four years after the UAE was founded.

This panorama shows a new road along the Corniche that passes Hilton Abu Dhabi, which opened in 1973 and marked the first five-star hotel in the emirate.

Moving east, Abu Dhabi town has now expanded dramatically. The Clock Tower, which was built at the end of Airport Road, can now be seen.

Further along is the new Mina Zayed area.

Across the water is Saadiyat Island, now home to a cultural quarter, but at the time it was a vast expanse of sand where experimental farms grew cucumbers.

The beginnings of Al Maryah Island, now Abu Dhabi’s financial district, is visible beside Reem Island. The greening of the city is notable, as new parks emerge.

The last photo in the set, a June 1977 panorama, shows the effect of land reclamation work.

Near the Corniche, the breakwater is emerging, close to where Marina Mall stands today.

Dr Al Mutairi said the NLA was visited recently by an Emirati who lived on the Corniche in a long-demolished compound. But through these images, he was able to locate where it was. Dr Al Mutairi said the hope was the collection could “reconnect with people” and “trigger minds”, leading to new projects and ways to link the archive with other collections such as photographs, video and documents. “This is just the beginning,” he said.

The images are high-resolution, allowing people to zoom in on buildings, homes and even the tops of people's heads. They also include detailed captions and GPS co-ordinates, meaning researchers can pinpoint locations precisely.

The high-resolution images allow people to zoom in on buildings, homes and people. Photo: NCAP

The high-resolution images allow people to zoom in on buildings, homes and people. Photo: NCAP

The images can be used for historical research, but it is also hoped they will help with projects including planning, mapping, environmental studies and topography. Artificial intelligence could also be used at some point to examine the collection and look for ways to develop it.

The NCAP, meanwhile, holds more than 30 million high-resolution analogue aerial images – most of which were declassified between 2004 and 2008. They record places and historical events during the 20th and 21st centuries.

“It was an honour and privilege for the NCAP team to create a high-resolution digital copy of this imagery for the NLA,” said Dr Allan Williams, head of NCAP.

Several images digitised by the NLA and NCAP have been posted to the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive. Screengrab: Arabian Gulf Digital Archive

Several images digitised by the NLA and NCAP have been posted to the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive. Screengrab: Arabian Gulf Digital Archive

“This collaboration has ensured the permanent survival of this unique aerial photography and its permanent preservation at the NLA as an important part of the nation’s memory," he added.

“We are looking forward to growing our relationship with the National Library and Archives, to preserving and making more aerial photography accessible, and to assisting those interested in the study and analysis of historic aerial photography of the Emirates.”