Al Faya World Heritage Site provides a broader model of the concept of cultural landscape

Al Faya World Heritage Site in the Emirate of Sharjah is highlighted on the “International Day of Historic Monuments and Archaeological Sites,” which falls on April 18 of each year, as one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. The site, which was included on the World Heritage List in 2025, preserves evidence documenting human presence in the region for more than 200,000 years, making it one of the oldest and longest known integrated records of early human presence in a desert environment and an essential reference for understanding early migration paths and human spread outside of Africa.

Al-Faya provides a broader model for the concept of the cultural landscape, as its multi-layered archaeological record extends from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic, documenting long-term patterns of human movement, the human ability to adapt to the environment, and the ability to survive through successive climate shifts.

Since its inscription, the Al Faya World Heritage Site continues to attract academic and scientific interest from various parts of the world, as the site receives research support under the supervision of the Sharjah Antiquities Authority, which includes the “Al Faya Research Grant” programme, which is a major initiative worth 2 million dirhams extending from 2026 to 2028. It has now entered the scientific evaluation stage with the participation of leading regional and international academic institutions. These efforts enhance the position of the United Arab Emirates in heritage sciences and archaeological research.

The UNESCO World Heritage List includes more than 1,100 sites, including 97 in the Arab region, spread over more than 160 countries around the world, and includes the most prominent cultural and natural sites of exceptional universal value. These sites form part of a global system for scientific research, heritage preservation and long-term protection. They also contribute to supporting a sector that provides more than 370 million job opportunities around the world and constitutes more than 10% of the global gross domestic product.