A major archaeological discovery in Sharjah’s Jebel Faya region has confirmed early human settlement around 80,000 years ago, challenging previous views of Arabia as merely a migration corridor. Led by the Sharjah Archaeology Authority in collaboration with international institutions, the study revealed advanced stone tools crafted using bidirectional reduction, indicating high cognitive skills and environmental adaptation. Conducted during the climatic shifts of Marine Isotope Stage 5a, the findings show long-term habitation supported by brief humid periods. The site’s near-continuous record from 210,000 to 80,000 years ago strengthens Sharjah’s nomination of the Faya Palaeolandscape for UNESCO World Heritage status.