Sharjah’s Mleiha National Park: Where 210,000 years of human history come alive

Sharjah: Mleiha National Park, located in Sharjah, preserves one of the Arabian Peninsula’s richest archaeological landscapes, inviting visitors to explore 210,000 years of human history. From Stone Age hunters to ancient traders of a lost pre-Islamic kingdom, the park offers a unique glimpse into Arabia’s deep past.

Established under the guidance of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and managed by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Mleiha protects over 34 square kilometers of pristine desert and archaeological treasures. Decades of research by the Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA) have uncovered invaluable insights into the region’s ancient civilizations.

Ongoing excavations since 1973 have revealed groundbreaking discoveries such as Stone Age tools from Jebel Faya, a perfectly preserved 4,500-year-old Umm an-Nar tomb, and evidence of a thriving trading kingdom from 3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE. Unique finds like Arabia’s only ritual horse-and-camel burial, Mediterranean amphorae, and ancient coins linked to Alexander the Great highlight Mleiha’s importance as a cosmopolitan crossroads of the ancient world.

Thanks to a close partnership between Shurooq and SAA, Mleiha offers visitors an immersive experience that balances scientific rigor with engaging, sustainable tourism — setting a global benchmark for heritage destinations.

At the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, visitors can see authentic artifacts including arrowheads from different eras, ancient coins, Rhodian wine jars, and inscriptions. Interactive displays and multimedia presentations bring history to life beyond traditional museum settings.

Hands-on activities like the ‘Fossil Fun Expedition’ let children explore ancient seabeds and create fossil casts, while workshops such as ‘Sounds of the Past’ teach ancient tool-making techniques. Tours of the Valley of the Caves and Jebel Buhais reveal daily life and burial customs of prehistoric communities.

For astronomy enthusiasts, the Space Camp workshop offers stargazing with high-powered telescopes and the chance to build a model comet, connecting visitors to the cosmos and our solar system’s origins.

Mleiha’s programs cater to school groups, university students, researchers, families, and lifelong learners alike. Educational packages include guided site visits, geological explorations, and archaeological activities that deepen understanding of the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

Omar Jasim Al Ali, Manager of Mleiha & Strategic Projects, highlights the park’s significance: “Mleiha is more than a tourist site — it is a living archive of human resilience where visitors can authentically connect with the UAE’s roots. Walking these lands is walking alongside those who shaped civilisation millennia ago.”

Recognised globally and continually enriched by new discoveries, Mleiha National Park stands as a pioneering model of heritage stewardship. It welcomes visitors year-round to experience the profound legacy of humanity etched into the desert sands of Sharjah.