Deep in Sharjah’s desert, beneath rust-colored dunes and fossil-covered cliffs, lies a site changing everything we know.
The Mleiha human origins site isn’t just about ruins — it’s a living timeline of human evolution.
Before pyramids rose or empires formed in Mesopotamia, early humans left Africa and arrived in what’s now the UAE.
They found refuge in Mleiha, where they carved flint tools, buried their dead, and watched stars light the desert sky.
Archaeologists have uncovered stone tools in Jebel Faya dating back more than 125,000 years.
Nearby findings reveal human presence stretching back nearly 200,000 years, reshaping theories of early migration.
These revelations confirm that the Arabian Peninsula wasn’t just a transit zone — it was a birthplace of civilisation.
Today, the Mleiha human origins site is pushing researchers to rethink how, when, and where humans spread across the world.
UNESCO has already placed Mleiha on its tentative World Heritage list due to its unmatched scientific value.
However, this site isn’t just for researchers — it’s also becoming a hub for curious travellers and local explorers.
Thanks to the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Mleiha now blends archaeology with eco-tourism.
The vision behind Mleiha National Park is both bold and sustainable, merging preservation with open public access.
Through a joint effort with the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, the park protects the site while promoting education and travel.
Students, scientists, and tourists from all corners of the globe now walk the same ground as early humans.
Ultimately, the Mleiha human origins site is more than ancient bones and tools — it’s a global portal to our past.
It reminds us that the UAE’s deserts hold not just sand, but the earliest stories of us all.
