Sharjah's coastal heritage network added to Unesco World Heritage Tentative List

Three historic coastal sites in Sharjah have been added to UNESCO's Tentative List for World Heritage, highlighting their significance as a unified maritime network spanning over two millennia, according to state news agency Wam. The Coastal Fortified Network of South Eastern Arabia encompasses Dibba Al-Hisn, Khor Fakkan, and Khor Kalba, which formed a strategic maritime corridor along the Oman Sea.

This addition brings the total number of UAE sites on UNESCO's Tentative List to 16, with six located in Sharjah. The serial property documents a history from early integration into Indian Ocean trade networks to the era of the Kingdom of Hormuz, Portuguese occupation, and eventual administration under Al Qasimi authority. Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Book Culture and Ambassador of the Faya World Heritage Property, emphasized that every site studied, documented, and preserved adds a new chapter to understanding the land's history and offers a broader window into the region's role in trade and cultural exchange.

Archaeological evidence includes fortifications, settlement remains, harbors, and surrounding coastal landscapes, showcasing the network's function as a single integrated system. At Dibba Al-Hisn, excavations revealed settlement layers from the Neolithic period to the 20th century, while Khor Fakkan preserves two fortified sites and a historic town wall.

Khor Kalba features a Portuguese fortification built after 1624. The next phase will intensify archaeological research to support a future full international nomination. This achievement goes beyond the number of sites included; it lies in building a sustainable system to study, protect, and present heritage according to the highest scientific standards, ensuring these sites remain part of humanity's shared memory and knowledge is passed on to future generations.