Latest news with #EisaYousif
Time Out Abu Dhabi
2 days ago
- General
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
This UAE location has just been named a World Heritage Site
A historically significant site in the United Arab Emirates has been added to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site list. The Faya Palaeolandscape in Sharjah is one of the oldest and most continuous records of early human presence in the world. It has been recognised for its outstanding universal value and serves as a living document of humanity's existence in arid environments for over 200,000 years. The intact fossil desert landscape, which has been excavated by scientists over the past 30 years, has 18 distinct archaeological layers of earth, each representing a different period of human activity. UNESCO has recognised the site as being extremely significant in understanding prehistoric life in southeast Arabia at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris. Faya (Credit: Supplied) Faya becomes the second site in the UAE to receive this recognition from the UN's educational, scientific and cultural organisation after the cultural sites of Al Ain were inscribed in 2011. There are currently 96 UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the region, spanning a total of 18 different countries. Unlike areas traditionally viewed as corridors for human migration, the decades of research at Fay found that it was repeatedly a place that people settled down to live in. Sharjah formally submitted the nomination file for Faya to UNESCO in February 2024, after 12 years of preparation for the nomination dossier and the property. The UNESCO World Heritage List includes 1,226 sites around the world that hold outstanding universal value with exceptional significance and future relevance. Archaeologists at Faya (Credit: Supplied) Faya (Credit: Supplied) Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, who serves as the official ambassador for Faya's nomination file, said that the site is of deep cultural significance. She said: 'The inscription of the Faya Palaeolandscape affirms Sharjah's contribution to the cradle of early human history and highlights the Arabian Peninsula's central role in humanity's journey out of Africa. 'The stone tools found at Faya, over 200,000 years old, are testimony of our ancestors' ingenuity and the deep roots of human cultural tradition in our region.' Eisa Yousif, Director-General of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, said: ''The UAE and Sharjah resonate deeply with the UNESCO World Heritage Committee's ethos of the universal belonging of inscribed sites, and we strongly promote free cultural and humanistic exchange even in a world with borders. 'The human race has thrived as a result of the fluidity of movement and free exploration that the old world order allowed us. 'Therefore, we are equally proud and happy to bring Faya Paleolandscape into the fold of the UNESCO World Heritage List, as a result of which it now belongs to all the peoples of the world, just as it did more than 200,000 years ago.' Summer in Abu Dhabi The 27 best things to do indoors this summer in Abu Dhabi It's time for some air-conditioned bliss The best things to do this weekend in Abu Dhabi Your full weekend itinerary 25 brilliant beach and pool day passes in Abu Dhabi Grab your SPF – a lush day by the water awaits
Time Out Dubai
2 days ago
- General
- Time Out Dubai
Faya in Sharjah announced as new UNESCO World Heritage Site
A historically significant site in the United Arab Emirates has been added to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site list. The Faya Palaeolandscape in Sharjah is one of the oldest and most continuous records of early human presence in the world. It has been recognised for its outstanding universal value and serves as a living document of humanity's existence in arid environments for over 200,000 years. The intact fossil desert landscape, which has been excavated by scientists over the past 30 years, has 18 distinct archaeological layers of earth, each representing a different period of human activity. UNESCO has recognised the site as being extremely significant in understanding prehistoric life in southeast Arabia at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris. Faya (Credit: Supplied) Faya becomes the second site in the UAE to receive this recognition from the UN's educational, scientific and cultural organisation after the cultural sites of Al Ain were inscribed in 2011. There are currently 96 UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the region, spanning a total of 18 different countries. Unlike areas traditionally viewed as corridors for human migration, the decades of research at Fay found that it was repeatedly a place that people settled down to live in. Sharjah formally submitted the nomination file for Faya to UNESCO in February 2024, after 12 years of preparation for the nomination dossier and the property. The UNESCO World Heritage List includes 1,226 sites around the world that hold outstanding universal value with exceptional significance and future relevance. Archaeologists at Faya (Credit: Supplied) Faya (Credit: Supplied) Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, who serves as the official ambassador for Faya's nomination file, said that the site is of deep cultural significance. She said: 'The inscription of the Faya Palaeolandscape affirms Sharjah's contribution to the cradle of early human history and highlights the Arabian Peninsula's central role in humanity's journey out of Africa. 'The stone tools found at Faya, over 200,000 years old, are testimony of our ancestors' ingenuity and the deep roots of human cultural tradition in our region.' Eisa Yousif, Director-General of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, said: ''The UAE and Sharjah resonate deeply with the UNESCO World Heritage Committee's ethos of the universal belonging of inscribed sites, and we strongly promote free cultural and humanistic exchange even in a world with borders. 'The human race has thrived as a result of the fluidity of movement and free exploration that the old world order allowed us. 'Therefore, we are equally proud and happy to bring Faya Paleolandscape into the fold of the UNESCO World Heritage List, as a result of which it now belongs to all the peoples of the world, just as it did more than 200,000 years ago.' Looking for things to do in Dubai? 112 best things to do in Dubai in 2025 Everything to tick off your Dubai bucket list 50 free things to do in Dubai Feeling the pinch? Enter free things to do Here's how to eat at 10 expensive Dubai restaurants for less Early bird dinners, lunch specials and more
Gulf Insider
4 days ago
- Science
- Gulf Insider
Faya Palaeolandscape In Sharjah Added To UNESCO World Heritage List
The United Arab Emirates has achieved a major milestone in global heritage preservation, as the UNESCO World Heritage Committee formally inscribed Sharjah's Faya Palaeolandscape onto its prestigious World Heritage List. The decision was announced during the 47th annual session held in Paris, marking a historic moment for both the UAE and the wider Arab region. Located in the emirate's central region, Faya Palaeolandscape has been recognised for its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) as one of the oldest and most continuous records of early human presence in arid desert environments — spanning more than 200,000 years. The site, a well-preserved fossil desert landscape, significantly reshapes our understanding of prehistoric life in Southeast Arabia. Unlike deserts once viewed as migratory corridors, Faya has been identified through decades of research as a repeated destination for early human settlement, making it the first desert Paleolithic site to gain a place on the World Heritage List. Under the category of Cultural Landscape, Faya was the only Arab nomination considered by the Committee this year. It is now the second site in the UAE to be included in the list, following the Cultural Sites of Al Ain, which were inscribed in 2011. Over the past three decades, the Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA), in collaboration with leading international institutions such as the University of Tübingen and Oxford Brookes University, has conducted extensive archaeological excavations, unearthing 18 distinct archaeological layers that detail the long-term human interaction with the desert environment. Accepting the recognition on behalf of the UAE, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the official ambassador for Faya's nomination, thanked the UNESCO Committee for recognising the site as part of humanity's shared story. 'The stone tools found at Faya, over 200,000 years old, testify to our ancestors' ingenuity,' she said. 'Faya affirms Sharjah's contribution to the cradle of early human history and underscores the Arabian Peninsula's central role in humanity's journey out of Africa.' Eisa Yousif, Director-General of SAA, highlighted the universal significance of Faya: 'This site now belongs to all the peoples of the world, just as it did more than 200,000 years ago. Its inclusion affirms the UAE's deep alignment with UNESCO's values of shared heritage and global cultural exchange.' He described the listing as the result of a carefully orchestrated effort combining scientific rigour, cultural stewardship, and international diplomacy — all rooted in Sharjah's broader vision of integrating heritage, education, and community development. Faya's inscription is the culmination of 12 years of preparation for the nomination file, informed by more than 30 years of archaeological and environmental research. The UAE and Sharjah have unveiled a 2024–2030 management and conservation plan for the site. This roadmap aims to preserve Faya's Outstanding Universal Value while promoting 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. This global recognition reflects the tireless efforts of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, whose decades-long vision has prioritised scientific research, cultural heritage, and international collaboration. The World Heritage List now comprises 1,226 properties of cultural, natural, or mixed significance across 168 countries. Of these, 96 sites are located in the Arab States region, spanning 18 nations. As a World Heritage Site, Faya Palaeolandscape is now protected as part of humanity's collective cultural and historical legacy — to be preserved for generations to come.
Gulf Today
04-06-2025
- General
- Gulf Today
Faya Palaeolandscape marks 11 years in UNESCO programme
Sharjah's Faya Palaeolandscape, one of the most scientifically significant prehistory archaeological sites in Arabia, continues to serve as a cornerstone in UNESCO's Human Evolution, Adaptations, Dispersals and Social Developments (HEADS) programme. For 11 years, the site has played a vital role in advancing global understanding of early human migration, adaptation, and survival in desert environments. This long-term collaboration between Sharjah and UNESCO HEADS programme has established Faya as a global reference point in palaeoanthropology and archaeology, placing the UAE at the centre of international scientific discourse on human origins. The property's uninterrupted record of over 210,000 years of human habitation has made it a key contributor to the evolving narrative of early life in Southeast Arabia. 'Faya's recognition in the HEADS programme for more than a decade is a testament to the UAE's commitment to safeguarding its ancient heritage,' said Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the official ambassador for Faya Palaeolandscape ongoing UNESCO World Heritage nomination. 'Sharjah has never viewed archaeology as merely a glimpse into the past, but as a vital part of our national identity and a platform for international cultural dialogue. Faya stands as evidence of how Sharjah combines scientific research with cultural vision, elevating the emirate as a leading contributor to global heritage. The site strengthens our cultural identity, supports cutting-edge research, and invites the world to explore how deeply rooted our region is in the story of human civilisation.' According to Eisa Yousif, Director-General of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA), Faya has played a pivotal role in shaping international scientific discourse on early human life. 'Faya has long been a cornerstone in the global understanding of how early humans adapted, survived, and evolved in arid landscapes,' he said. 'Its archaeological record - spanning more than 210,000 years - reveals unprecedented insights into toolmaking, burial practices, and shifting lifestyles in response to climatic extremes. Faya challenges long-held assumptions and affirms that the Arabian Peninsula was not merely a corridor, but a cradle of human evolution in its own right. It demonstrates that early societies did not just pass through this region - they thrived here, innovated, and laid cultural and social foundations that deepen our understanding of human resilience.' As one of the few documented Stone Age desert landscapes in the world, Faya provides exceptional evidence of early modern human adaptation to hyper-arid environments over tens of thousands of years. From the earliest hunter-gatherer communities to pastoral nomadic herders with funeral practices, the archaeological record at Faya reveals how humans evolved socially, technologically and spiritually in response to extreme and changing climates. Beyond its regional significance, the property contributes to a larger global understanding of how early humans navigated survival, resource management, and social development in some of the harshest conditions on Earth. The sediment layers and preserved palaeoenvironmental features at Faya have made it a key site for understanding water availability, vegetation distribution, and climatic shifts during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene epochs. These findings offer invaluable insight not only into human resilience but also into wider environmental transformations that shaped early civilisations. Faya is part of key sites recognised by the UNESCO HEADS programme for their critical contributions to human evolutionary studies, including Klasies River Caves, Border Cave and Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa, and the Tchitundo-Hulu Rock Art Site in Angola. What distinguishes Faya, however, is its location within the Arabian Peninsula - a region previously understudied in global narratives of human migration. Faya is now helping reshape that narrative, anchoring Arabia as a key locus in the shared history of species. WAM
Al Etihad
03-06-2025
- General
- Al Etihad
Sharjah's Faya Palaeolandscape marks 11 years of advancing the global understanding of early human life in desert environments
3 June 2025 16:10 SHARJAH (WAM)Sharjah's Faya Palaeolandscape, one of the most scientifically significant prehistory archaeological sites in Arabia, continues to serve as a cornerstone in UNESCO's Human Evolution, Adaptations, Dispersals and Social Developments (HEADS) 11 years, the site has played a vital role in advancing global understanding of early human migration, adaptation, and survival in desert long-term collaboration between Sharjah and UNESCO HEADS programme has established Faya as a global reference point in palaeoanthropology and archaeology, placing the UAE at the centre of international scientific discourse on human property's uninterrupted record of over 210,000 years of human habitation has made it a key contributor to the evolving narrative of early life in Southeast Arabia.'Faya's recognition in the HEADS programme for more than a decade is a testament to the UAE's commitment to safeguarding its ancient heritage,' said Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the official ambassador for Faya Palaeolandscape ongoing UNESCO World Heritage nomination.'Sharjah has never viewed archaeology as merely a glimpse into the past, but as a vital part of our national identity and a platform for international cultural dialogue. Faya stands as evidence of how Sharjah combines scientific research with cultural vision, elevating the emirate as a leading contributor to global heritage. The site strengthens our cultural identity, supports cutting-edge research, and invites the world to explore how deeply rooted our region is in the story of human civilisation," she to Eisa Yousif, Director-General of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA), Faya has played a pivotal role in shaping international scientific discourse on early human life.'Faya has long been a cornerstone in the global understanding of how early humans adapted, survived, and evolved in arid landscapes. Its archaeological record — spanning more than 210,000 years — reveals unprecedented insights into toolmaking, burial practices, and shifting lifestyles in response to climatic extremes."Faya challenges long-held assumptions and affirms that the Arabian Peninsula was not merely a corridor, but a cradle of human evolution in its own right. It demonstrates that early societies did not just pass through this region — they thrived here, innovated, and laid cultural and social foundations that deepen our understanding of human resilience.'As one of the few documented Stone Age desert landscapes in the world, Faya provides exceptional evidence of early modern human adaptation to hyper-arid environments over tens of thousands of the earliest hunter-gatherer communities to pastoral nomadic herders with funeral practices, the archaeological record at Faya reveals how humans evolved socially, technologically and spiritually in response to extreme and changing its regional significance, the property contributes to a larger global understanding of how early humans navigated survival, resource management, and social development in some of the harshest conditions on Earth. The sediment layers and preserved palaeoenvironmental features at Faya have made it a key site for understanding water availability, vegetation distribution, and climatic shifts during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene findings offer invaluable insight not only into human resilience but also into wider environmental transformations that shaped early is part of key sites recognised by the UNESCO HEADS programme for its critical contributions to human evolutionary studies, including Klasies River Caves, Border Cave and Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa, and the Tchitundo-Hulu Rock Art Site in distinguishes Faya, however, is its location within the Arabian Peninsula - a region previously understudied in global narratives of human migration. Faya is now helping reshape that narrative, anchoring Arabia as a key locus in the shared history of support of this global effort, Dr. Knut Bretzke, one of the lead researchers on the Faya site, recently presented the findings and significance of the landscape at a UNESCO HEADS programme meeting in Cairo, underscoring the international importance of the site and Sharjah's continued leadership in heritage-based research. As the Faya nomination for World Heritage inscription progresses, the property's legacy is already firmly established: a pivotal source of scientific inquiry, international cooperation and national pride. Faya continues to show the world that the answers to humanity's oldest questions are not only written in stone but preserved in the land.
