Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi Supports Archaeological Symposium In Sharjah

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the Chairperson of Shurooq, recently graced a scientific symposium at the Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA) headquarters. This event celebrated the 30th excavation season at Jebel Al Buhais and Jebel Faya in Sharjah, showcasing a partnership between SAA, the University of Tübingen in Germany, and the Senckenberg Society for Natural History. The focus was on "Landscape archaeology, paleoenvironments, human adaptations and dispersals in the Arab Region".

Dr. Sabah Aboud Jasim, an advisor to SAA, extended his thanks to Sheikha Bodour for her attendance, underscoring the leadership's dedication to preserving UAE's archaeological heritage. Eisa Yousif, SAA's Director General, emphasized their commitment to scientific studies and excavations to safeguard Sharjah's historical narrative. He highlighted Jebel Faya's significance as the Arabian Peninsula's oldest known human site and its recent nomination for UNESCO's World Heritage Sites list.

Dr. Jasim presented a paper focusing on Jebel Faya's archaeological heritage and cultural landscape. The 2009 excavation unearthed a human settlement dating back 125,000 years, challenging prior beliefs about human settlement timings in the region and hinting at possible human migrations from Africa. The symposium also shed light on Jebel Faya's role as a historical crossroads and its contributions to understanding early human migrations.

Jebel Al Buhais was another focal point of discussion. Archaeological efforts since 1995 have revealed an extensive cemetery spanning from the Neolithic to the Hellenistic period. The symposium attracted experts from Germany, Britain, France, and Sudan, covering topics like ancient environmental changes, prehistoric landscapes, climate change in Arab countries, and UNESCO's World Heritage program activities in Egypt and Sudan.

The symposium concluded with a general discussion and remarks from participants. An organized trip to Jebel Faya allowed Dr. Knut Bretzke to showcase archaeological materials found at the site.

This event underscored SAA's and its partners' efforts in documenting and preserving Sharjah's archaeological sites. It highlighted the importance of Jebel Faya and Jebel Al Buhais in piecing together human history and migrations in the Arabian Peninsula and underscored the critical role of archaeological research in illuminating the region's past.

With inputs from WAM