Sheikha Bodour and Minister of Culture visit Faya Palaeolandscape

Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), and Ambassador of the Faya Palaeolandscape World Heritage Nomination File, welcomed Salem Bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Chairperson of the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, during a visit to the Faya Palaeolandscape archaeological site, which is nominated for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with the surrounding sites in the Mleiha area of Sharjah.

Eisa Yousif, Director General of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA); Khuloud Al Houli Al Suwaidi, Director of Tangible Cultural Heritage Department at the SAA; as well as several senior officials from both the Ministry and the SAA were accompanying.

They toured the rock site at Jebel Faya archaeological site (Paleolithic and Neolithic), which is considered one of the most important Stone Age sites in the Arabian Peninsula and the world, as well as the Buhais Geological Park.

Chairing a meeting with the visiting delegation, Sheikha Bodour, alongside Sheikh Salem Bin Khalid Al Qassimi and other attendees, witnessed a presentation on the historical and cultural significance of the Faya Palaeolandscape.

The presentation outlined its importance to the regional and global historical record, emphasising qualities supporting its potential World Heritage status.

The presentation detailed ongoing efforts by the Sharjah government and the SAA, spanning thirty years, in collaboration with the University of Tübingen in Germany and the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research.

Excavations have unveiled evidence of continuous human occupation from the early Middle Palaeolithic period, 210,000 years ago, to the Neolithic period, around 6,000 years ago, revealing human shelters, tools, life, and burials within the limestone topography.

Sheikha Bodour expressed pride in the visit organised by the SAA, commending the significant contributions of the Ministry of Culture and UAE National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science.

She emphasised their role in enriching the national cultural sector and supporting governmental institutions in cultural, heritage, and artistic fields.

Sheikh Salem Bin Khalid Al Qassimi thanked Sheikha Bodour for her support in raising awareness of Sharjah’s cultural heritage locally and globally.

He expressed gratitude for her ambassadorship to the World Heritage Nomination for the Faya Palaeolandscape, recognising her efforts in securing UNESCO's recognition of the site's outstanding universal value.

Highlighting Sharjah’s international stature in cultural and heritage work, Sheikh Salem Bin Khalid Al Qassimi emphasised the influence of Sharjah’s leadership in strengthening, enriching, and preserving archaeological activity in the emirate.

He said that His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah has always called for documenting and protecting significant archaeological sites in the UAE.

Sheikh Salem Bin Khalid Al Qassimi stressed the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to supporting Sharjah’s cultural work goals, leveraging its expertise, capabilities, and international relations.

He emphasised the ministry's role as an integral part of the UAE's extensive cultural and heritage system.

Eisa Yousif, Director General of the SAA, reaffirmed the authority's commitment to enhancing communication with all stakeholders to showcase the dynamic local cultural scene and advance various cultural and creative industries.

He highlighted the significance of the site visit to the Faya Palaeolandscape in promoting joint efforts to represent the UAE's tangible cultural heritage on the global archaeological tourism map.

WAM