A Sharjah Site Receives UNESCO World Heritage Status

The Faya Palaeolandscape in Sharjah has officially been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a milestone marking international recognition of one of the world’s oldest and most continuous records of early human occupation in the Middle East.

Located in Sharjah’s Central Region near Jebel Faya, this prehistoric site preserves a near-continuous settlement layer dating back over 210,000 years, from the Middle Palaeolithic to the Neolithic era.

Excavations have uncovered 18 distinct archaeological layers, revealing how early Homo sapiens adapted to dramatic climatic changes through sophisticated tool-making and environmental adaptation.

Archaeologists discovered 80,000-year-old elongated stone tools crafted using a complex technique called bidirectional reduction, showcasing remarkable cognitive skill and resourcefulness.

These multipurpose tools were tailored for hunting, processing plants, and crafting, reflecting an advanced cultural and technological understanding.

The nomination was evaluated during UNESCO’s 47th World Heritage Committee session in Paris on Friday.

Spearheaded by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, official ambassador for the nomination, along with Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi, who formally approved the site boundaries for UNESCO submission.