A Historical and Scientific Milestone for the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is reaching another significant moment in its cultural and scientific journey as Sharjah moves forward with the nomination of the Faya Paleolandscape for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This could happen as early as July during the upcoming committee session in Paris.
The Faya Paleolandscape: A Unique Archaeological Treasure
Located in central Sharjah, this ancient desert site holds one of the oldest continuous records of early human presence in Arabia, dating back over 210,000 years. According to the Sharjah Archaeological Authority (SAA), more than 30 years of meticulous research and collaboration between national and international experts have uncovered 18 distinct archaeological layers from the Stone Age, revealing an intricate history of human evolution, adaptation, and survival right there in Sharjah.
Eisa Yousif, Director of the SAA, explained: “More than 30 years of careful investigation and collaboration, led by our national mission alongside international experts, have unearthed 18 distinct layers of earth, each representing a different period of human occupation and providing unprecedented insights into early human migration and adaptation.”
Why Faya Matters: Transforming Our Understanding of Early Human Life
Nominated formally in 2024 under the Cultural Landscape category, the Faya Paleolandscape is being evaluated by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Its archaeological richness is being weighed, but also its potential to reshape our global understanding of how early humans lived in arid environments, moved through, and evolved across southeast Arabia.
The site’s exceptional universal value, which is crucial for a material good to be declared a treasure of humanity, lies in its unique example of human survival against adverse environmental conditions. This is made possible by the convergence of essential resources—spring water and wadis (dry riverbeds), silex-like stones used for tool-making, and the existence of refuge caves on jebels (hills)—that enabled sustained human occupation for millennia.
The Oldest Human Footprints in Arabia
Over the past 30 years, scientists have excavated Faya, uncovering 18 distinct layers of earth, each representing a different period of human occupation and providing unprecedented information about early human migration and adaptation. These discoveries offer a new understanding of the human migration from Faya, which holds the most detailed record of ancient human life in Arabia.
“Faya offers one of the oldest and most complete records of early human presence in Arabia, dating back more than 210,000 years; a living archive that deepens our understanding of who we are, where we come from, and how we’ve learned to survive,” said Jequesa Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the official nomination ambassador to UNESCO and leader of global advocacy for Faya’s World Heritage status.
National Effort and Global Leadership
Bodour Al Qasimi has emphasized the UAE’s national effort in advancing Faya’s candidacy and the country’s and Sharjah’s commitment to preserving heritage, cultural diplomacy, and scientific research.
“Nominating the Faya Paleolandscape as a UNESCO World Heritage site underscores the importance of preserving these ancient sites, not just for their historical value but also for their potential to educate future generations,” Al Qasimi stated.
While much of the Arabian Peninsula has been viewed as a mere transit point for early human migration, interdisciplinary scientific research and archaeological discoveries by the Sharjah Archaeological Authority (SAA), in collaboration with the Prehistoric Studies Department of Tubingen University (Germany) and the Paleoenvironmental Studies Department of Oxford Brookes University (UK), have confirmed that Faya served as a destination for early human settlements during climatically favorable periods.
The Management Plan for Faya Paleolandscape
The UAE has developed a comprehensive management plan for the Faya Paleolandscape, guiding its conservation, research, and visitor engagement from 2024 to 2030. This plan aligns with UNESCO World Heritage standards, ensuring the site’s preservation while allowing for ongoing exploration and education.
The next UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting will be the 47th session, taking place at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, from July 6 to 16, 2025.
