Which archaeological site in Sharjah has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status for showcasing 210,000 years of human desert adaptation?

The correct answer is Faya Palaeolandscape.

In News

• Sharjah’s Faya Palaeolandscape has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status, highlighting 210,000 years of human resilience in extreme desert conditions.

Key Points

• Faya Palaeolandscape features a 20-km limestone ridge acting as a natural barrier between the Rub’ al-Khali desert and the Dhaid-Madam Plain.
• It holds 18 phases of human occupation, with archaeological discoveries including stone tools, burial sites, and evidence of climate adaptation.
• Geological formations in the area date back 93-66 million years and provided flint for tool-making and water sources during wet periods.
• The site played a crucial role in ancient trade networks, linking Arabia with Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley civilization.

Additional Information

• Al-Balid Archaeological Site
  • Located in Oman, known for maritime trade during the medieval period.
• Madain Saleh
  • A UNESCO-listed Nabataean archaeological site in Saudi Arabia.
• Qal'at al-Bahrain
  • A UNESCO World Heritage site in Bahrain, known as the capital of the Dilmun civilization.