Oh, how times change…

Modern Dubai is a shining beacon of glitz, glamour and technology, but there once was a much simpler time, before the oil boom of the 1960s, where our favourite emirate was a much sleepier town.

Occasionally photos from that period surface online that give us a glimpse into what life was like back then. One enterprising redditor earlier today posted a link to a blog containing a collection of images from the ’50s and 60s that show Dubai in a very different light.

The photos appear to be from the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, and cover everything from the city’s creek to the old airport – it’s a proper trip down memory lane. Here are some of our favourites:

This classic shot of Bur Dubai shows what used to once be the city’s bustling centre

From humble beginnings, Dubai International Airport is now one of the busiest in the world

You can still see these older-style abras and boats taking frequent trips across Dubai Creek

The clocktower roundabout in Deira is now a much, much busier intersection

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