Sharjah's Historic Coastal Sites Earn Spot on Unesco World Heritage Tentative List

A trio of historic coastal sites in Sharjah have been officially added to Unesco's Tentative List for World Heritage, acknowledging their importance as a connected maritime network with a history spanning over two millennia, the state news agency Wam reported on Wednesday.

Known as the Coastal Fortified Network of South Eastern Arabia, the designation encompasses Dibba Al-Hisn, Khor Fakkan, and Khor Kalba, which historically functioned as a strategic maritime corridor along the Oman Sea. This latest addition increases the total number of UAE locations on Unesco's Tentative List to 16, with six of those situated within Sharjah.

The serial property—a term used for cultural or natural heritage designations comprised of two or more distinct, physically separated locations sharing a unified value—highlights a rich history. This timeline extends from early integration into Indian Ocean trade networks through the Kingdom of Hormuz, Portuguese occupation during the 16th and 17th centuries, and subsequent administration under Al Qasimi authority.

“The inclusion of six sites from the emirate of Sharjah among the UAE's 16 sites on Unesco's Tentative List reflects an integrated cultural project that views heritage not merely as evidence of the past, but also as knowledge and a responsibility that extends into the future,” stated Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Unesco Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Book Culture, and Ambassador of the Faya World Heritage Property.

“Every site we study, document and preserve adds a new chapter to our understanding of the history of this land, while offering the world a broader window into the region's role in trade, connectivity and cultural exchange across the centuries,” she added. She also emphasized that the true significance lies in establishing a sustainable preservation system adhering to high scientific standards.

Archaeological findings across all three sites include fortifications, ancient settlements, harbors, and surrounding coastal landscapes that demonstrate how the network operated as a unified system. Excavations at the fort in Dibba Al-Hisn have revealed settlement layers stretching from the Neolithic period to the 20th century, alongside glass-working workshops, date-processing facilities, and pearl-processing installations. Meanwhile, Khor Fakkan maintains two major fortified sites and a 155-meter section of its historic town wall, showing phases of control under Portuguese, Arab, and Al Qasimi rulers. At Khor Kalba, researchers have excavated a post-1624 Portuguese rammed-earth fortification featuring a quadrangular enclosure wall and two circular corner towers.

Eisa Yousif, director general of Sharjah Archaeology Authority, noted that the upcoming phase will concentrate on deepening archaeological research to gather the necessary evidence for a future full international nomination.

This milestone follows the July 2025 inscription of Sharjah's Faya Palaeolandscape on the Unesco World Heritage List, making it only the second UAE location to achieve the designation following the Cultural Sites of Al Ain in 2011.