A major archaeological discovery at Jebel Faya in the Emirate of Sharjah has confirmed that early Homo sapiens inhabited the region around 80,000 years ago, reshaping the understanding of human migration and adaptation across Arabia. This is reported by Emirates News Agency (WAM), a partner of TV BRICS.
The study highlights evidence of sustained human presence at Jebel Faya from approximately 210,000 to 80,000 years ago. The site presents a rare, near-continuous archaeological record spanning multiple climatic phases.
The research connects the most recent occupation layers to Marine Isotope Stage 5a (MIS 5a), a period marked by pronounced climatic variability. During this time, brief humid phases transformed the arid desert into habitable landscapes of lakes and grasslands, supporting early human settlement.
Archaeologists identified distinctive tool-making techniques at Jebel Faya, notably bidirectional reduction, in which both ends of a stone core are strategically struck to produce elongated blades and flakes. The tools were likely used for hunting, plant processing, and crafting, suggesting a complex behavioural repertoire.
Through advanced luminescence dating techniques, researchers were able to establish precise chronologies for the sediment layers, offering a clearer picture of how early humans responded to environmental shifts over time.
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