"Sharjah Antiquities" Announces the inclusion of 4 new sites in the emirate on the ISESCO List of Heritage in the Islamic World
Sharjah, February 13, 2017 – The Sharjah Archeology Authority announced the inclusion of four new archaeological sites in the Emirate of Sharjah on the Heritage List of the Islamic World of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO). These are Wadi Al Hilo: Witness to copper mining, and the prehistoric cultural landscape in Al Faya. The inclusion of the historic Nahwa area, and the historical towers and forts in Khor Fakkan came as part of joint cooperation between the Authority and the Sharjah Initiatives Implementation Authority, “Mubadarah.”
His Excellency Issa Yousef, Director General of the Sharjah Archeology Authority, confirmed that the inclusion of these sites on ISESCO’s list of heritage in the Islamic world is a qualitative achievement that reflects the strategic vision of the Emirate of Sharjah in preserving and presenting the archaeological heritage as a shared historical value that transcends the boundaries of place and time. He pointed out that this international appreciation comes as an extension of the great support and cultural vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who made the preservation of human heritage a fundamental pillar of the project. The Emirate of Hadari, adding that this achievement is the result of continuous scientific work in the fields of research, documentation and protection in accordance with the best international standards.
His Excellency said that this listing represents an important step in the process of preserving the cultural heritage of the Emirate of Sharjah, and confirms the importance of these sites as a living record of human memory and the development of their civilizations over thousands of years, pointing out the Authority’s keenness to employ this heritage in supporting scientific research, enhancing community awareness of its value, and consolidating its presence on the global cultural scene in a way that contributes to protecting archaeological sites and enhancing their role in serving knowledge and sustainable cultural tourism, in line with Sharjah’s vision of investing in people and history. Together.
“Wadi Al-Hilu” is one of the most prominent archaeological sites linked to the history of copper mining and smelting in southeastern Arabia during the Bronze Age, as it provides clear evidence of the beginnings of early metallurgical activity in the region.
The site is located in the eastern region of the Emirate of Sharjah, within the Al Hajar mountain range, and includes the remains of ancient mining sites, smelting remains, furnaces, and waste that confirm the practice of this activity for thousands of years.
Archaeological studies indicate that the valley witnessed continuous human settlement since prehistoric periods, and its importance became particularly prominent during the Bronze Age, when it turned into a major source of copper and a center for its production and trade through wide regional trade networks, where evidence was found confirming the transfer of copper produced in the region to a number of regions of the Gulf and the Near East.
The “Al Faya Site” (the prehistoric cultural landscape) embodies one of the most prominent global evidences of early human settlement of desert environments, as it is located in a strategic area between the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, and its archaeological layers extending from the Middle Stone Age to the Neolithic Age about 210,000 to 6,000 years ago reveal the ability of early human societies to adapt to climate changes and invest natural resources for survival. It also provides important scientific evidence on the southern migration path of humans. Speaking from Africa, what gives it exceptional value in understanding the history of human settlement.
The listed sites also include the historic, mountainous “Al-Nahwa Area,” which is characterized by unique geographical and cultural specificity within a mountainous enclave in the eastern region of the Emirate of Sharjah, and includes a group of heritage evidence that reflects the traditional mountain lifestyle over many centuries.
Al-Nahwa includes ancient stone houses, a historic mosque, an Islamic cemetery, and watchtowers, in addition to rock engravings dating back to prehistoric times, mountain passes, and paths used by residents for transportation and trade. The area also represents an integrated model of harmony between man and the environment, as the local community has preserved traditional agricultural practices and popular knowledge associated with living in the mountainous environment.
The list also includes “the site of the historical towers and fortresses in the city of Khor Fakkan,” which is an integrated defense system that has formed, over the centuries, the first line of protection for the city and its natural port. These landmarks are spread along the coastal and mountainous highlands and include the Khor Fakkan Fort, the Portuguese Fort, and the Rabi and Adwani Towers, which were built in strategic locations to monitor the sea and secure commercial and land routes.
These fortifications reflect the development of defensive architecture in the region and their pivotal role in protecting the historical ports and maritime trade networks that linked the Gulf to the Indian Ocean and East Africa, in addition to the cultural and architectural value they carry that reflects the skill of local construction and its adaptation to the coastal and mountainous environment.
In order to enhance Sharjah’s journey in preserving its cultural heritage, the inclusion of these sites comes as an extension of a series of continuous successes that have witnessed the registration of a number of historical sites in the emirate on the Heritage List in the Islamic World during the past years, bringing the total number of listed sites to ten sites, as this qualitative accumulation reflects a sustainable approach to protecting and documenting cultural heritage and enhancing its presence at the regional and international levels.
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