The workshop, held on February 26th and 27th, aims to explore the shared archaeological links between Africa, celebrated as cradles of human migration, and is considered the gateway to early human migration into the world. It also aims to highlight common cultural heritage, ancient migration patterns, and developments in the Stone Age, and to highlight Sharjah's status as a major global centre for archaeological research.
The seminar was attended by Eisa Yousif, director of the Sharjah Archeology Authority (SAA). Salem Omar Salem, Director of Icesco Regional Office, Sharjah. SAA adviser Dr. Saba Abd Jassim, along with a prominent group of archaeologists and cultural heritage experts.
An interactive journey into the depths of history
The opening ceremony included the launch of an accompanying exhibit by Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasim. The exhibition highlights archaeological finds that support the theory of general ancient travel routes between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, environmental and cultural adaptation. It presents important artifacts from two well-known sites. One in Zambia and the other in Faya, a site appointed to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The exhibition features a unique collection of rare stone tools that reflect the evolution of the stone industry through the ages, including hand shafts representing ancient stone tool manufacturing techniques, Aqueurian tools from the early Stone Age, and the traditions of Sangwan and Lubun Bang, documenting the major developments of manufacturing and use techniques.
For the Central and Late Stone Ages, the exhibit includes advanced tools such as scrapers and bi-face flakes, reflecting important technical improvements and specialized applications in hunting and other everyday activities. Additionally, the exhibition presents ceramic works from the Iron Age Karond tradition, offering unique insight into the cultural and social transformations that took place in human society, which transitioned from prehistoric to early historical periods.
Archaeological Heritage: Living Identity Shaping the Future
In her keynote address, Sheika Bodhi Binto Sultan Al-Kashmi, Ambassador of the World Heritage Nomination File for Fayapere Landscape, Chair of Sharjah Investment Development (Shurooq), highlighted the importance of scientific research and international collaboration, highlighting her doctoral degrees in the field of archaeology. all over the world.
She said: “Archeology goes beyond past academic research to help us unravel, decipher and share our human stories with the world. The deep connections between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula remind us that civilization was built on knowledge exchange and resilience, as revealed through migration, adaptation and innovation. Sharjah is committed to conserving and studying these connections to benefit today's community, as reflected in the appointment of Faya Pay Landscape for its UNESCO World Heritage status. Through collaboration, research and conservation, we will ensure that the past continues to inspire the future.”
Human shared heritage: a major scientific platform to document and protect civilization's outcomes
Eisa Yousif, Director of Sharjah Archeology Authority (SAA) It highlighted the strategic importance of this seminar in shedding light on the shared stone age heritage between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. He noted that studying these archaeological links not only helps to document the past, but also provides deeper insight into early human movement patterns and the cultural interactions that shaped the transition to this region.
He said, “SAA is extremely important to study shared human heritage and establish itself as a major scientific platform for civilising and protecting civilized outcomes. This is part of our continued commitment to academic dialogue on heritage and history.
Investigating migration routes and environmental adaptation
Ireen Muyenga, chairman of the National Heritage Protection Committee (NHCC) Zambia, gave a speech highlighting the importance of the seminar, highlighting the importance of the seminar in fostering scientific dialogue among researchers from different continents. Dr. Nicholas Connado, chairman of early prehistoric and Quaternary ecology, is the dean of the Faculty of Research and director of prehistoric museums, said Fayah is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Arabian Peninsula and has documented more than 200,000 years of human settlements in the desert. This site provides the highest stratigraphic and outdated archaeological evidence from the late Ice Age. This contributes to early humans adapting to climate and environmental changes and understanding human mobility and technical adaptation. He emphasized that early human southern travel routes were merely hypothetical prior to important archaeological discoveries in Faya. Today, it is one of the most important theories in human evolutionary studies.
On the first day of the workshop, Dr. Mounir Bouchenaki, an Algerian historian, World Heritage Consultant and archaeologist, featured several discussions, including a panel entitled “Out of Africa Routes,” an international expert. This was followed by another session on “Human Adaptation Strategies: Environmental Challenges and Stone Tool Innovation.” Researchers discussed how humans adapted to changing environments and innovations in various eras and reviewed archaeological discoveries in the UAE, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The role of East Africa in human mobility movements
This session provided detailed insights into age-mediated Stone Age heritage and human migration routes, featuring a group of experts and experts focusing on East Africa's role in human migration movements, as well as the environmental and geographical factors that influenced human movements across the continent.
Geological influences on the distribution of stone tools between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
The workshop also discussed the geological influence on the distribution of stone tools between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, exploring the role of natural factors in the formation of ancient patterns of life and mobility. Furthermore, the importance of the southern route is highlighted as an important passageway for human migration, presenting archaeological evidence confirming the strategic role of this field in linking civilizations, with a particular focus on Southeast Arabia as the main hub of African and Asian cultural interactions. The region played an important role in promoting civilized links between the two continents over various periods.
Field visit to Faya Palaeolandscape
The second day of the seminar will include a site visit to Faya Palaeolandscape, one of the most important archaeological sites in the Arabian Peninsula. Participants will receive detailed briefings from archaeological experts on geological layers and stone tools discovered at the site, providing a unique opportunity to first-hand understanding of the deep-rooted history of the region.
