Did humans really live in the UAE 210,000 years ago? Cave discovery at Jebel Faya could rewrite human history

The well-established timeline of human migration is often simple yet confusing: early Homo sapiens left Africa to the north, spread into Eurasia, and settled across the globe. New archaeological discoveries continue to complicate that confusing timeline.

One such revelation has surfaced in the desert landscapes of Sharjah, where researchers at the Jebel Faya rock shelter have unearthed stone tools dating back around 80,000 years.

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This makes it the oldest-known Middle Paleolithic assemblage in the region, placing the UAE at a critical crossroads in early human expansion, and potentially reshaping what we know about how and where our ancestors lived.

It provides new evidence of a record of human presence in the Arabian Peninsula that stretches back 210,000 years.

The findings were published in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, a peer-reviewed journal by Springer Nature. The discovery is part of an international project led by the Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA), in collaboration with Germany’s University of Tübingen and University of Freiburg, as well as Oxford Brookes University in the UK.

The German Research Foundation and the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences also supported the research.

The broader Faya Palaeolandscape, surrounding the Jebel Faya site, has long been known as an essential waypoint in early human migration. But this study confirms it was more than a passing route.

It served as a habitable and sustainable environment for early humans during periods of favourable climate, particularly during the climatic phase known as Marine Isotope Stage 5a (MIS 5a), around 80,000 years ago.

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Lead researcher Dr. Knut Bretzke of the German Archaeological Mission in Sharjah explained that during MIS 5a, monsoons from the Indian Ocean brought rainfall to Arabia’s deserts.

These brief, green periods created lakes and grasslands, making the region a suitable home for human life. According to Dr. Bretzke, this environment made long-term human occupation possible.

Tools that tell a story of innovation and survival

The heart of the discovery lies in a unique set of stone tools. Unlike other sites in northern Arabia where triangular tools are standard, the tools found at Jebel Faya show evidence of bidirectional reduction. This method involves striking a stone core from both ends to produce long, efficient blades and flakes.

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“This shows foresight and planning,” Dr. Bretzke said. “Each strike was deliberate and designed to conserve material. It shows cognitive skill and environmental knowledge.”

These multipurpose tools were likely used for hunting, food preparation, and tool-making. Researchers believe this tool technology signals not only survival strategies but also a level of cultural development among early humans in the region.

When the climate opened a window for life

The Jebel Faya site is one of the few in Arabia with a nearly continuous archaeological record from 210,000 to 80,000 years ago. This uninterrupted sequence offers rare insights into long-term human adaptation to shifting climates.

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His Excellency Eisa Yousif, Director of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority and a contributor to the study, said the discovery reflects the adaptability and resilience of early humans.

He added that the findings support Sharjah’s efforts to nominate the Faya Palaeolandscape as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.