National Museum of Saudi Arabia

The National Museum of Saudi Arabia is a major national museum in Saudi Arabia. Founded in 1999. It is part of the King Abdul Aziz Historical Centre in Riyadh. 
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The National Museum is part of the "Murabba 'Development Plan for the area in and around the old Murabba' Palace district for the centenary in Saudi Arabia to renovate. Thus, the deadline to early 1999, with only 26 months [3] for the planning and construction of the museum from scratch, but ideas for such a museum had been discussed since the eighties. For the design of the lead architect Raymond Moriyama was inspired by the shape and color of the sand dunes of the 'Red Sands' just outside Riyadh. [4] The west facade along Murabba 'Square, similar to the soft contours of a sandune with the layout, a crescent points to Mecca. [3] The west facade opens into a large lobby, which also opens onto a small square in the east that separates the main organs of the museum to the north and south, each organized around a small courtyard. The north wing is devoted to the pre-Islamic and galleries linked by a bridge to the south wing of the Islamic galleries of the history of the Arabian Peninsula hosts. For the final galleries the visitor enters the "Unification Drum" that shows the current Saudi State. The last room illustrates the two holy mosques and the hajj. There are also two galleries for special exhibitions. 

The concept for the didactic design of the exhibition is different from the traditional approach of traditional museums. There is less emphasis on individual exhibits displayed in their cultural context as objects of great value. There are many replicas and life-size displays dioramic, illustrate and teach about certain issues and problems. As such, it is sometimes difficult to identify certain specific documents and even replicas indistinguishable from originals. The idea is not to focus on individual pieces in their own right but rather to use them as models for the general ideas or concepts they represent. [4] shows that 
[Edit] Exhibitions 

The exhibitions are organized into eight "Exhibition Halls" or "Galleries
* Man and the Universe 

The first exhibition in the museum is a large fragment of a meteorite found in the Wabar craters in the desert of Rub 'al Khali'. Further exhibitions and interactive displays explain the solar system, plate tectonics, geology and geography from the Arabian Peninsula and development of the fauna and flora of Arabia. Major exhibitions are the skeleton of a Platybelodon and Ichthyosaur. The gallery ends with Stone Age man. 

* Arab Kingdoms 

This gallery shows the early kingdoms, focusing on Dilmon, Madian, and Gariah Tima'a. The exhibition continues with the Arab kingdoms intermediary by presenting the city Al-Hamra, Al-Jandal Dawmat, and Tima'a Tarout. The late Arab kingdoms are represented by the civilizations that flourished in Al-Aflaj, Najran and Ain Zubaida. 

* The pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyyah) 

This gallery is devoted to the period from about 400 BC to the dawn of Islam. Cities of today are portrayed Mecca, Jarash, Yathrib, Khaibar, Najran, and Khadrama Dawmat Aljandal and the markets Okaz, the Al-Majaz, Najran and Habasha. The evolution of writing and calligraphy will be displayed and illustrated by numerous examples [6]. 

* The Prophet Mission 

Here the life and mission of the Prophet Muhammad is depicted. On one wall hangs a large family tree explaining the Prophet's family and relationships in great detail. This gallery is a bridge that a symbolic cross-over forms from the time of ignorance for the time after the revelation of Islam to the prophet. 

* Islam and the Arabian Peninsula 

Time in this gallery are the Islamic beginning in Medina and the history of the rise and fall of the caliphate. It also illustrates the time of the Mamluks and the Ottomans to the first Saudi state. 

* First and Second Saudi States 

Shown here is the culture and history of the two early Saudi State. A large model of Diriyah is displayed under a glass floor, so it can be considered a commodity in great detail. 

* The unification 

This gallery is dedicated to King Abdul Aziz and how he returned to Riyadh and established his Kingdom. 

* The Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques 

A major exhibition at this gallery is a large model of Mecca and its surroundings.