The UNESCO World historic Committee formally inscribed Sharjah's Faya Palaeolandscape on the World Heritage List, marking a significant milestone in the UAE's historic preservation efforts. Faya was the only Arab site added this year and the second from the United Arab Emirates to be recognized under the Cultural Landscape category, following the 2011 inscription of Al Ain's cultural sites.
Faya Palaeolandscape, which is situated in the central part of Sharjah, contains one of the earliest and most comprehensive records of early human occupation in desert conditions, spanning over 200,000 years. The fossil desert terrain is still intact.
Our knowledge of prehistoric life in Southeast Arabia has been drastically changed by Faya's crucial significance as a frequently visited place, which also marks an important turning point in human evolution. Faya's inclusion on the World Heritage List is particularly noteworthy because of this. The World Heritage List did not include any desert Paleolithic sites until Faya was inscribed.
The nomination was formally presented by Sharjah in February 2024 after a 12-year dossier preparation process. Faya's inclusion after a thorough assessment using UNESCO's Outstanding Universal Value criteria.
In order to preserve Faya's worldwide significance, the UAE and Sharjah have approved a thorough conservation strategy for 2024–2030 that places a sustained emphasis on research, education, and environmentally friendly travel. UNESCO's Human Evolution, Adaptations, Dispersals and Social Developments (HEADS) Program has included Faya for more than ten years, along with other well-known sites like Wonderwerk Cave and Klasies River Caves.
