Sharjah Coastal Fortified Network added to UNESCO Tentative List

The Coastal Fortified Network of South Eastern Arabia in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, has been officially added to UNESCO's Tentative List for World Heritage. This network links three significant locations: Dibba Al-Hisn, Khor Fakkan, and Khor Kalba, illustrating over 2,000 years of maritime trade, navigation, and defense history. Its inclusion highlights the archaeological and architectural evidence that showcases the evolution of the region's maritime power and trade exchanges over the centuries, marking a notable contribution to the UAE's cultural heritage. The submission was prepared by the Sharjah World Heritage Office of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, emphasizing the importance of these sites in understanding the historical context of maritime activities in the region.

Excavations at Dibba Al-Hisn have revealed layers of settlement dating back to the Neolithic period and extending into the twentieth century. Among the discoveries are glass-working workshops and installations related to pearl processing, underscoring the area's historical economic significance. Khor Fakkan is recognized for preserving evidence of one of the most sheltered historic harbors along the eastern Arabian coast. The site features East and West Forts, as well as stone-built houses from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, along with a significant portion of the historic town wall. The West Fort showcases three major phases of fortification that reflect the influences of Portuguese, Arab, and Al Qasimi control over the region from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries.

Khor Kalba, on the other hand, is linked to the Kingdom of Hormuz before being taken by Portuguese forces in 1624. The Portuguese constructed a fort there that played a critical role in maritime activities, serving purposes of supply and defense. This fortification reflects the strategic importance of the site in regulating coastal movement and trade during a pivotal era in maritime history. The addition of the Coastal Fortified Network brings the total number of sites on the UAE's Tentative List to 16, with six of these located in Sharjah. The Sharjah Archaeology Authority announced that further archaeological research will be conducted to deepen the understanding of the network and support potential future nominations to the World Heritage List, highlighting the ongoing commitment to preserving and celebrating the region's rich cultural heritage.