A stunning archaeological discovery in the Jebel Faya region of Sharjah is reshaping the story of early human migration. New research published in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences confirms that Homo sapiens didn’t just pass through the Arabian Peninsula — they lived, innovated, and adapted to its harsh climate nearly 80,000 years ago.
Led by the Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA) and a team of international experts from Germany and the UK, the study uncovered a distinctive set of stone tools that suggest a long-term human presence in the region. The tools, shaped using a complex method known as bidirectional reduction, were crafted with precision — a sign of advanced cognitive abilities and deep environmental knowledge.
“This wasn’t random knapping,” explained Dr. Knut Bretzke, lead researcher and head of the German Archaeological Mission in Sharjah, in a Gulf News report. “Each strike was calculated. It’s a reflection of strategic thinking — the kind of adaptability that helped early humans survive in unpredictable conditions.”
The tools were uncovered within sediment layers dating back to Marine Isotope Stage 5a, a climatically volatile period when brief monsoons transformed the desert into green oases. These rare windows of rainfall offered temporary but vital refuge for early humans.
The site’s archaeological record, spanning from 210,000 to 80,000 years ago, is nearly continuous — a rarity in Arabian prehistory. Using luminescence dating, researchers pieced together a timeline that shows early humans either occupied or regularly returned to Jebel Faya over tens of thousands of years.
Eisa Yousif, Director of the SAA and co-author of the study, said the discovery reveals more than ancient technology. “The findings at Jebel Faya highlight the resilience, adaptability, and ingenuity that define our species. These tools tell the story of people who understood and respected their land.”
The broader Faya Palaeolandscape is now being considered for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The new evidence significantly strengthens Sharjah’s case, positioning the emirate as one of the key sites of early human settlement outside Africa.
As Dr. Bretzke and his team emphasize, this is not just about dates or tools — it’s about redefining how we see the human journey. Arabia was not a mere stopover; it was a cradle of survival, creativity, and community.