Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, ambassador of the Faya Palaeolandscape World Heritage Nomination File, and chairman of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), has launched a workshop and exhibition called “Herland Links of the Age of Stone Tools in Africa and Arabia.”
In collaboration with the Islamic World Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the National Heritage Protection Committee of Zambia (NHCC), the event, hosted by the Archaeology Authority of Sharjah (SAA), brings together a prominent group of international researchers and experts in Stone Age archaeology.
The workshop, held on February 26th and 27th, aims to explore the shared archaeological connections between Africa, celebrated as cradles of human migration.
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.
Sheika Bodor along with senior officials during workshops and exhibitions.
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.
Sheika Bodor while on tour of the exhibition.
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 the Sharjah Archeology Authority (SAA), 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 places great importance on its position as a major scientific platform to study shared human heritage, document and protect civilized outcomes. This is part of its continued commitment under the guidance of Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Sultan Al Kashmi, a member of the Shuhma Centre, a global member of the Shuhma Centre, which is a global leader in researching shared human heritage, documenting and protecting civilized outcomes. This is part of the ongoing commitment under the guidance of Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Sultan Al Kashmi, the Prime Minister of Sheikh and member of the Shuhma Centre, a global member of the Shuhma Centre, which provides academic dialogue on heritage and history.”
