The emirate of Sharjah is proudly celebrating a triumphant first anniversary since the ancient Faya Palaeolandscape was officially inscribed onto the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List. This international recognition has propelled Sharjah to dramatically expand its research, conservation, and site management initiatives, ensuring the long-term protection of the Faya property as a globally significant beacon of human history acknowledged by UNESCO.
Over the past 12 months, the regional government has taken massive strides to elevate the site’s scientific and cultural impact, turning a monumental accolade into a sustainable engine for ongoing discovery.
Driving Scientific Discovery Through Global Grants
To mark this historic anniversary, the emirate launched the highly anticipated AED2 million Faya Research Grant Programme, drawing significant attention from the international academic community. This ambitious funding initiative attracted 49 competitive proposals from prestigious universities and research institutions spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and North America.
Grants were subsequently awarded to groundbreaking projects led by institutions such as the University of Tübingen and Oxford Brookes University, alongside elite researchers from the UAE, the UK, the US, and Spain. These funded projects are poised to explore crucial topics, including ancient environments, prehistoric settlement patterns, palaeogenomics, human mobility, and geological landscapes. By reinforcing Faya‘s pivotal role in the study of early human adaptation in Arabia, Sharjah ensures that the site continues to generate vital new knowledge while safeguarding its Outstanding Universal Value for future generations.
Furthermore, Emirati Mentoring Fellowships have been established alongside these scientific grants. This forward-thinking initiative creates essential pathways for young UAE researchers to acquire international archaeological field experience before applying their honed skills directly to research and conservation efforts at the Faya site.
Establishing a Dedicated Heritage Framework
To govern these expansive initiatives, Sharjah has instituted a specialized World Heritage Office operating under the auspices of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority. This newly minted office serves as the foundational pillar responsible for coordinating conservation, field research, documentation, and international cooperation, entirely fulfilling the rigorous standards required under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. It is also actively leading the government’s efforts to nominate additional cultural assets for global recognition.
Reflecting on the immense strategic effort deployed over the last year, Eisa Yousif, Director-General of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, stated:
“The first year after inscription, Sharjah has demonstrated that World Heritage recognition is most valuable when it becomes a catalyst for continued discovery. For us, the inscription created new responsibilities as much as new opportunities. Over the past year, our priority has been to build the scientific, institutional and conservation systems required to support a World Heritage Property over the long term.”
Amplifying Public Engagement and Future Preservation
Beyond institutional frameworks, public engagement with the UNESCO-listed site has flourished. Since the beginning of 2026, the official website for the palaeolandscape has attracted more than 7,000 active users and generated over 41,000 interactions.
Visitors to the physical location now encounter a profoundly enriched experience. The Mleiha Archaeological Centre, situated at the heart of the property, has introduced an interactive exhibition detailing the area’s immense scientific importance. Paired with new directional signage and an official UNESCO monument, accessibility and visitor orientation have drastically improved.
As part of the anniversary commemoration, audiences worldwide are invited to watch the official documentary available online. The film features H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Ambassador of the Faya World Heritage Property. Tracing 210,000 years of human history, Sheikha Bodour articulated the profound meaning behind the site’s preservation:
“Looking back on the first year since Faya’s inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List is a proud moment for everyone who has contributed to understanding and protecting this extraordinary landscape over many decades. International recognition is meaningful because it affirms the significance of that collective effort, but its greatest value lies in what it enables. Over the past year, we have continued to invest in scientific research, conservation and education so that Faya remains a living source of knowledge about our shared human story for generations to come.”
By balancing robust conservation priorities with enhanced visitor access, the emirate guarantees that this ancient landscape will remain a cornerstone of human heritage.
