5 World Heritage Sites in UAE

There are many visions that in our minds are conjured up by the term UAE. Our reflections are bound to precede booming villages, cloud-touching houses, sprawling beaches, and oil opulence. But the Emirati nation, which is not as lauded as its materialistic wonders, has another hand.

A glorious history, stretching long before the exploration of oil and rapid urbanization cherishes this magnificent land. In the UAE, you will also find sites of historical significance that have stood the test of time and preserved their glorious past and culture.

Following are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in UAE:-

1. Al-Ain Oasis

Al-Ain Oasis is nothing less than a marvel of the universe. You can sound like you have trekked into the heart of a tropical forest as you walk into this lush date grove. Weaving enchanting domes are the majestic palm trees and their prodigious interwoven branches.

The oasis extends over 3,000 acres, feeding more than 147,000 date palm trees. According to several UAE legends, the creator of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, was born in this oasis underneath the shadow of those majestic palm trees.

The Al Ain Oasis is a 4,000-year-old village and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the middle of the Rub al Khali desert. It is the largest oasis in the country, covering 1,200 hectares, and is one of many of those in Al Ain noted by the UN Food and Agricultural Organization for its ecosystems and cultural heritage importance.

2. Hili Archaeological Park

You will grab another UAE heritage site in the shape of an expansive archaeological site just 15 kilometers outside Al Ain. A public garden and the archaeological site are integrated at the Hili Archaeological Garden site. This place’s history can be dated back to the Bronze Age, that is, from 2500 BCE to 2000 BCE. Also, read Top 20 Places to Visit in Dubai.

With engravings of humans and creatures, the tomb has two entrances. Hili Archaeological Park shows evidence of agricultural activities in the UAE 5,000 years ago, including notable ancient settlements in the region. Hili Archaeological Park, one of the UNESCO heritage sites in the UAE, is a family-friendly space with trees, waterfalls, and a small children’s playfield.

Ancient cities, tombs, an artificial water channel-Falaj, remaining since the Iron Age, and many more are part of the archaeological site. A strong 12-meter diameter tower is the Great Tomb within the site, which is assumed to be the graveyard of Umm al-Nar. Read Also: 10 Best Reasons to visit Dubai.

3. Khor Dubai

Another UAE heritage place of interest is Khor Dubai or Dubai Creek; the Arabian Sea’s natural seawater inlet separates the town into Bur Dubai and Deira. Multiple cultures such as Obeid, the Bronze Age, Stone Age, Iron Age, and Pre-Islamic times have nurtured the Ed-Dur Site that overlooks Al Beidha Bay.

The Al Bidya Mosque, which was founded in 1446 and has served as a spiritual center until now, is the oldest place of worship in the UAE. One of the provisional UNESCO heritage sites in the UAE is Khor Dubai. The Arabian Gulf’s natural ocean water inlet separates Deira and Bur Dubai and is stretched over 14 km.

Dubai is divided into two sections, Deira and Bur Dubai, by the Khor Dubai and is important to the economy of the region. A place of significant cultural and commercial trade is known to be Khor Dubai and its neighboring communities. A glorious salt flat, the Sabkha of Abu Dhabi, cradles many tiny shoals, beaches, streams, secure lagoons, and sediments, an inner region of intertidal flats.

As the UAE is deeply embedded in a rich past, the list goes on and gets long. The Emirati nation still shelters in hideaways the remnants of a glorious past, untouched, and it will open its chest of treasures for those who follow the original essence of travel. Also reflecting a special architectural tradition are the typical wind-tower houses on the shores of the creek. All these considerations make Khor Dubai a top candidate as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for consideration.

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4. Sharjah, the Gate to the Trucial States

In Sharjah, the Gate to the Trucial States is also a gate to ancient times. This precise location, sometimes referred to as ‘the heart of Sharjah,’ dates back to 125,000 years ago, whenever Homo Sapiens began to drift through Africa to the Eastern Mediterranean. Sharjah’s emirate was the gate to the Trucial States but had considerable importance in the pearl trade of the region. The Sharjah government has made considerable strides to conserve the historic buildings of the region.

It entails the former port and the houses that are now subject to the Mahratta Museum in the old air station. In contrast, the Emirate has a solid Antiquities and Heritage Act that safeguards ancient areas, adding to its attractiveness as a possible UNESCO World Heritage site.

Sharjah is mentioned in accounts of ancient writers and travelers, such as the geographer Al Edrissy of the 11th century. It was the entrance to the Trucial States and the pearl trade’s key hub. The town serves as an example of historical towns’ new urban growth.

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5. Jebel Hafeet Tombs

The Jebel Hafeet Tombs are very identical to the Hili Archaeological Park since the remains of the Emirati Bronze Age are all preserved. At the bottom of Jebel Hafeet Peak, the site could be seen, retaining a 5000-year-old past. In the city, the tombs of Jebel Hafeet mark the start of the Bronze Age, the decorative vessels and copper objects excavated from the region suggest the presence of a prosperous civilization.

The ‘world heritage site’ status in the UAE is awaited by several more sites. Any of the famous heritage sites to come are: The Umm an-Nar Island settlement and cemetery nearby Abu Dhabi is a testimony to the far-sighted ambition of the Emirati in setting up a Bronze Age civilization. As the title suggests, Sir Bu Nair Island is an island subject to a Neoproterozoic salt formation.

The Jebel Hafeet Tombs are quite distinct despite their beehive form, marking the beginning of the Bronze Age in the UAE. The site is closed, but the canyons of Jebel Hafeet Mountain are visible. Read Also: Visa-Free Entry for Mexican citizens traveling to the UAE

Conclusion

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has undergone, like most other areas of the Arab world, the development of human civilization over several thousand years. The UAE is consists of a parched desert including some unusual geological features, archaeological sites, ancient architectural masterpieces. These seemingly uninhabited parts of the world conceal various mysteries.

It will be an incredible experience for visitors to explore these mentioned world heritage sites and historical places. You can get to distinguish and appreciate the cultural grandeur of the country that has undergone many trials.