Latest news with #SharjahArchaeologyAuthority
Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Gulf Today
Wadi Al Helo, Mleiha top priorities for world heritage
Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA) is working relentlessly and sparing no effort after the global achievement of Al Faya being included on the Unesco's World Heritage List, said Eisa Yousef, director general of SAA. He revealed future plans to highlight the exceptional value of other sites, most notably Wadi Al Helo in the Eastern Region and Mleiha archaeological site in the Central Region, both of which are on Unesco's tentative list. Yousef explained the success of Al Faya's nomination file with support from 13 of the 21 countries on the World Heritage Committee, which represents international recognition of the authenticity and importance of the site. He pointed out that this achievement brings strategic gains for the UAE and Sharjah since it highlights the region as a pivotal part of human history, encourages the attraction of specialised and sustainable cultural tourism and provides diverse job opportunities such as specialised tour guides. These goals are achieved through close institutional co-operation as embodied in the key role played by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) through the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority through the Jebel Buhais Geology Park and by Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority in promoting tourism destinations, he said. Recently, Simona-Mirela Miculescu, President of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), commended the pioneering role played by the United Arab Emirates in protecting and preserving cultural and natural heritage both nationally and globally. She affirmed that the UAE is a key partner of the Paris-based organisation and a model to be emulated in this field. This praise came during an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM) in Paris, where Miculescu expressed her appreciation for the UAE's recent success in inscribing the Faya Palaeolandscape in Sharjah on the Unesco World Heritage List. Miculescu described this achievement as a powerful message reflecting the UAE's deep commitment to preserving shared human memory and recognising the value of heritage sites as bridges for dialogue and understanding between peoples. She emphasised that the UAE's role extends beyond its national borders, stating: 'The UAE not only protects its own national heritage but also takes the initiative to help safeguard global heritage. This reflects its civilisational vision and ethical responsibility toward all humanity.' Miculescu noted that the UAE is among Unesco's principal partners, having provided clear support for major international initiatives, including the rehabilitation of heritage sites damaged by conflict, particularly in the Arab region. Regarding the exceptional value of the Faya archaeological site, Miculescu explained: 'Faya is not merely an archaeological site. It stands as evidence of early stages in human development and illustrates human interaction with the natural environment in an area of exceptional geological and cultural significance.' She highlighted that what makes the site distinctive is its direct connection to the first human migrations from Africa to Asia — a critical phase in human history that continues to be the subject of intense academic study. The documented discoveries at the site, she added, offer rich material for researchers and anthropologists. The Unesco official praised the efforts that led to this international recognition, saying: 'Its inscription on the World Heritage List is a highly significant step, made possible by meticulous scientific work and long-term efforts by the UAE in collaboration with international experts, all in accordance with Unesco's rigorous standards. The UAE's nomination file was comprehensive and compelling, and we highly value this level of professionalism.' She also applauded the UAE's approach to integrating heritage preservation with sustainable development plans, emphasising that the country sets an example of how heritage sites can serve as a foundation for both cultural and economic development. This is achieved through investment in sustainable tourism and by involving local communities in the management and protection of these sites. She described the UAE's experience as a model for other countries in the region and around the world.
What's On
15-07-2025
- Science
- What's On
Everything to know about Sharjah's Faya Palaeolandscape, newly added to UNESCO's World Heritage List
The United Arab Emirates is abuzz with a brand new milestone – a new entrant into UNESCO's World Heritage List: Sharjah's Faya Palaeolandscape, a site hiding mysteries from 200,000 years ago. Announced during the 47th annual session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, this desert site has been inscribed in the list for its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), displaying some of the earliest records of human presence in the arid desert environments. Faya Palaeolandscape is located in the central region of Sharjah, presenting as a spectacular, rolling desert landscape, and the first desert Paleolithic site to cement a place on the World Heritage List. Faya was the only nomination from the Arab region this year, a historic moment for not just the UAE but for the wider community, and marks the second site in the UAE to be included in the list; the first were the Cultural Sites of Al Ain, which were inscribed in 2011. The history What's incredible about Faya is not just the sheer scale of the history it represents, but also the state in which the tangible remains were unearthed – well-preserved, and ready to tell stories about what life in the region looked like thousands of years ago. The site is located between the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea and preserves evidence of human life and occupation from the Middle Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods (210,000–6,000 years ago). The layers of archaeological finds – 18 to be exact- reveal how hunter-gatherers and pastoralists adapted to the extreme cyclic climate of the region, alternating between arid and rainy periods every 20,000 years, as is the natural course of the Earth's climate cycle. That's why we have contrasting periods like the sweltering era of the dinosaurs and the Ice Age. Beyond subsistence activities, the earliest groups of humans made use of the site's geomorphological features for extraction of resources. The site provides evidence of diverse water sources of presence of raw materials, and is a testament to the power of human resilience in the face of hyper-arid environments. Why is Faya important? The discovery and recognition of such a site points a new direction for the global perception of prehistoric existence in the Arabian Peninsula, as well as it's role in charting the journey of the earliest man out of Africa. It proves to be a significant regional contribution in what the world knows about its own history, and revealing something unique about the desert – once viewed simply as migratory corridors, areas of constant movement, Faya has been identified as site for repeated human settlement. The future of Faya Over the past three decades, the Sharjah Archaeology Authority has been conducting excavations on the site, in collaboration with leading international institutions such as the University of Tübingen and Oxford Brookes University. Now, looking to the future, the UAE and Sharjah have unveiled a 2024–2030 management and conservation plan for the site, aiming to preserve Faya's Outstanding Universal Value while keeping the curiosity alive with continued research, community engagement, and sustainable tourism. Faya also holds a long-standing place in UNESCO's Human Evolution, Adaptations, Dispersals and Social Developments (HEADS) Programme, alongside internationally significant sites like the Klasies River Caves in South Africa. @jebelfaya Images: UNESCO World Heritage > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Arabian Business
13-07-2025
- Science
- Arabian Business
Ancient 200,000-year-old UAE site joins UNESCO World Heritage List
The UAE marked a milestone in heritage preservation as the UNESCO World Heritage Committee officially inscribed Sharjah's Faya Palaeolandscape on the World Heritage List. Recognised under the Cultural Landscape category, Faya was the only Arab site added this year and the second from the UAE after Al Ain's cultural sites were inscribed in 2011. Located in Sharjah's central region, Faya Palaeolandscape holds one of the world's oldest and most continuous records of early human habitation in arid environments, dating back more than 200,000 years. Faya Palaeolandscape in the UAE It is the first desert Paleolithic site on the World Heritage List, offering invaluable insight into human evolution and prehistoric life in Southeast Arabia. This inscription affirms the UAE's and Sharjah's global standing in heritage protection and acknowledges over three decades of archaeological research led by the Sharjah Archaeology Authority in collaboration with institutions such as the University of Tübingen and Oxford Brookes University. The site has yielded 18 archaeological layers, providing critical evidence of human settlement in desert environments. Sharjah formally submitted the nomination in February 2024 following 12 years of dossier preparation. Faya's inclusion came after a rigorous evaluation based on UNESCO's standards of Outstanding Universal Value. The achievement reflects Sharjah's long-standing vision to integrate heritage, education and sustainable development, in line with the commitment of Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, official ambassador of the nomination file, expressed gratitude to the World Heritage Committee for recognising Faya's significance. She said the inscription affirms Sharjah's role in early human history and highlights the Arabian Peninsula's position in the story of human migration from Africa. She said: 'The stone tools found at Faya are testimony to the ingenuity of our ancestors and the deep roots of cultural tradition in our region. 'We remain fully committed to protecting this site and ensuring its legacy continues to inspire future generations.' Eisa Yousif, Director-General of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, said the inscription reflects shared ownership of world heritage. 'Faya now belongs to all peoples of the world, just as it did over 200,000 years ago,' he said, noting that this milestone represents the culmination of scientific research, cultural preservation and international cooperation. The UAE and Sharjah have adopted a comprehensive conservation plan for 2024–2030 to protect Faya's universal value, with a continued focus on research, education and sustainable tourism. For more than a decade, Faya has also been a key site in UNESCO's Human Evolution, Adaptations, Dispersals and Social Developments (HEADS) Programme, alongside world-renowned locations such as Klasies River Caves and Wonderwerk Cave. Faya's inscription brings the total number of World Heritage sites to 1,226 across 168 countries, including 955 cultural, 231 natural and 40 mixed sites. The Arab region now hosts 96 such sites across 18 countries.
Arab Times
12-07-2025
- General
- Arab Times
UAE's Al Faya site added to UNESCO World Heritage List
KUWAIT CITY, July 12: The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) warmly congratulated the leadership, government, and people of the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Sharjah on the inclusion of the Al Faya archaeological site in UNESCO's World Heritage List for 2025. In a statement to KUNA, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, Minister of Information and Culture, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and NCCAL Chairman, expressed pride in this milestone and commended the UAE's continuous commitment to cultural and heritage preservation. NCCAL noted that the inscription highlights the UAE's ongoing dedication to safeguarding human heritage and preserving the rich cultural and historical identity of the region. This recognition also enhances Arab and Gulf contributions to the global heritage landscape. The Council wished the UAE further progress and success in promoting its cultural legacy internationally. Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the official ambassador for the nomination, accepted the recognition on behalf of the UAE and Sharjah. She emphasized that the Faya Palaeolandscape underlines Sharjah's important role in early human history, with findings that showcase the ingenuity of ancient human communities. This achievement crowns over 30 years of research and excavation by the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, in partnership with international academic institutions like the University of Tübingen and Oxford Brookes University. Since 2014, this work has been a key part of UNESCO's Human Evolution, Adaptations, Dispersals and Social Developments (HEADS) program. Eisa Yousif, Director-General of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, described the inscription as a result of scientific excellence, cultural responsibility, and global collaboration. He remarked that Faya now belongs to all humanity, just as it did more than 210,000 years ago. The UAE and Sharjah have outlined a long-term conservation and management plan (2024–2030) focused on sustainable tourism, continued research, and education, aligned with UNESCO's guidelines. Currently, there are 96 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 18 Arab countries. With this addition, the global list includes 1,226 sites of outstanding universal value across 168 nations.
Filipino Times
12-07-2025
- General
- Filipino Times
UAE's Faya Palaeolandscape in Sharjah added to UNESCO World Heritage List
United Arab Emirates marked a major milestone in cultural preservation as the UNESCO World Heritage Committee officially inscribed Sharjah's Faya Palaeolandscape on the World Heritage List. Recognised under the Cultural Landscape category, Faya is the only Arab site added to the list this year and the second from the UAE, following the inscription of Al Ain's cultural sites in 2011. Located in Sharjah's central region, Faya Palaeolandscape contains one of the oldest and most continuous records of early human habitation in arid environments, dating back over 200,000 years. It is also the first desert Paleolithic site to be included on the World Heritage List. The site provides significant evidence of early human settlement and migration in Southeast Arabia. The listing reflects over three decades of archaeological research led by the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, in partnership with institutions including the University of Tübingen and Oxford Brookes University. Sharjah submitted the nomination dossier in February 2024 after 12 years of preparation. The site passed a rigorous evaluation process based on UNESCO's criteria for Outstanding Universal Value. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, who served as the official ambassador of the nomination file, said the recognition underscores Sharjah's role in early human history and the Arabian Peninsula's significance in the story of human migration out of Africa. 'The stone tools found at Faya are testimony to the ingenuity of our ancestors and the deep roots of cultural tradition in our region,' she said, affirming Sharjah's continued commitment to protecting the site. The UAE and Sharjah have launched a conservation plan covering 2024 to 2030, focusing on heritage protection, research, education, and sustainable tourism. Faya is also a key location under UNESCO's Human Evolution, Adaptations, Dispersals and Social Developments (HEADS) Programme. The addition of Faya brings the total number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites to 1,226 across 168 countries, including 955 cultural, 231 natural, and 40 mixed sites. The Arab region now hosts 96 sites in 18 countries.
