ANNUAL SHARJAH ARCHAEOLOGY ISSUE 23

It seems that the landscape of events the Sharjah Archaeology Authority is accustomed to annually has shifted this year regarding the suspension of activities by most foreign archaeological excavation missions. This is an unprecedented occurrence compared to past years, due to various reasons related to those missions, their working conditions, and other professional commitments in their home countries.

Perhaps the most significant event and major achievement realized by the Sharjah Archaeology Authority is reflected in the decision adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 47th session held in the French capital, Paris, on Friday, July 11, 2025. This decision decreed the inscription of the Jebel Faya site—located within the cultural landscape of the Central Region of the Emirate of Sharjah—onto the UNESCO World Heritage List. This marks the second site in the United Arab Emirates to be listed, following the Al Ain Oasis, which was inscribed in 2011.

The Jebel Faya site was inscribed this year as a site of “Outstanding Universal Value.” It documents the oldest evidence of human presence in desert environments dating back more than 200,000 years. Thus, it reflects early humans’ ability to adapt to harsh environmental conditions on one hand, and represents an important historical record for the study of human history and the first human migrations out of the African continent on the other.

With this, the Authority has recorded a prominent historical achievement in its distinguished efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of Sharjah in particular, and the UAE and the world in general, stemming from the belief that cultural heritage, wherever it exists, belongs to all humanity. On this happy occasion, we would like to record our deepest thanks, gratitude, and appreciation for the exemplary, constructive stance and absolute support from His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the Supreme Council, and Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Ambassador of the Jebel Faya file to UNESCO. We appreciate the great efforts they exerted over the past years, which were finally crowned with dazzling success and the realization of the desired goal.

On a parallel level, local excavation and maintenance missions have continued their work without interruption at a number of archaeological sites spread throughout the Emirate. Accordingly, this issue of “Sharjah Archaeology Annals” has been dedicated to publishing reports on the important archaeological discoveries achieved so far. Given the abundance of discoveries and the wealth of resulting information, the focus has been placed on publishing the results of excavations at two archaeological sites: the first being the Tell Abraq site, and the other being the Al Luluyah site in Khorfakkan, which consists of the following: Al Luluyah (1), Al Luluyah (B), and Al Luluyah (C).