Sharjah’s Faya Site Inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List
December 16 , 2025 : His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, attended the official ceremony celebrating the inscription of the Faya archaeological site on the UNESCO World Heritage List, held at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre.
In his address, the Ruler of Sharjah highlighted Faya’s exceptional global value, describing it as a living record of early human history that reshapes understanding of human migration and settlement. Archaeological discoveries at Faya, including stone tools dating back more than 200,000 years, confirm the Arabian Peninsula as an early homeland for modern humans rather than merely a migration corridor.
The ceremony was attended by senior members of the ruling families, government officials, cultural leaders, diplomats, and representatives of international institutions. His Highness inaugurated a commemorative monument marking the inscription and received the official UNESCO certificate from Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Ambassador of the Faya World Heritage Site, announced the launch of the Faya Research Grant, a Dh2 million international initiative to support scientific research, empower young scholars, and expand knowledge of the site’s role in human development.
UNESCO officials praised Sharjah’s long-term commitment to heritage preservation, noting that Faya is the UAE’s second World Heritage site and a landmark in understanding early human adaptation to arid environments.
The event featured artistic and scientific presentations retracing more than 210,000 years of human history, and concluded with honours awarded to partner institutions that contributed to the successful nomination, reinforcing Sharjah’s leading role in safeguarding humanity’s shared heritage.
