JournalMleiha Archaeological Site, Sharjah: From Stone Age to Fort
In short: Mleiha, in Sharjah's central region about 25 km south of Dhaid, has produced evidence from the Palaeolithic through the Bronze Age to the Mleiha period (about 300 BCE onward), including tombs, a large fortified compound and coins that suggest metalworking and trade.
Quick facts
| Starting point | Sharjah city or Dhaid |
|---|---|
| Emirate | Sharjah (central region) |
| Distance | About 25 km south of Dhaid |
| Earliest evidence | Stone tools dated to about 125,000 to 130,000 years ago |
| Mleiha period | From about 300 BCE |
| Visitor site | Mleiha Archaeological Centre |
Layers of time
| Period | What is reported |
|---|---|
| Palaeolithic | Tools at Faya-1 dated to roughly 125,000 to 130,000 years ago |
| Neolithic | Settlements from about 11,000 years ago |
| Bronze Age | Evidence from around 3000 BCE, including an Umm Al Nar tomb |
| Mleiha period | From about 300 BCE; a fortified compound, tombs and trade finds |
Notable finds
- A tomb with inscriptions in Aramaic and Hasaitic, dated to about 214 to 222 BCE.
- Animal burials, including camels, also seen at Ed-Dur in Umm Al Quwain.
- Greek amphorae, bronze bowls and coins, and evidence of iron production, which is rare for the region.
- A large fort compound discovered in the late 1990s that may have been the seat of an ancient kingdom.
Reading the claims
Dates and interpretations are reported findings and are updated as research continues. A secondary source calls Mleiha a UNESCO World Heritage Site; verify the current listing status with UNESCO before repeating that, as it was not confirmed here.
Visiting
The Mleiha Archaeological Centre is the main visitor site. Desert activities around Mleiha have their own rules and safety needs; read camping rules and the desert safety points on this site, and check current hours with Sharjah's tourism authority.
Check before you go
This is a researched guide, not legal, medical or safety advice. UAE rules, permits, fees, opening hours and closures change and can differ by emirate, so confirm with the official tourism authority, municipality or police before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Mleiha?
In Sharjah emirate, about 25 km south of Dhaid.
How old is Mleiha?
Reported evidence runs from stone tools about 125,000 years old to the Mleiha period from about 300 BCE.
Is Mleiha a UNESCO site?
One source says so, but this was not confirmed here. Check with UNESCO.
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Read nextRules, closures, fees and conditions change. Confirm with the relevant authority before you travel, and treat this guide as planning help, not a substitute for local advice.