Education at the Heart of Mleiha

The UAE’s residents and visitors who are fascinated by the country’s rich history and wish to learn more about its early civilizations will be amply rewarded with a trip to  Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism; a premier tourism and leisure destination from Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). Mleiha has been established to cater to the increasing demand for new vacation and excursion experiences. Conceived to offer a premium educational experience through showcasing Sharjah’s rich history which reveals impressive imprints that early man made in the region.

“Mleiha provides an unrivalled glimpse into man’s earliest activities that stretch back as far as 130,000 years, with the site offering up a unique learning experience that takes visitors back through the millennia to reveal mankind’s first footprints in the region. Mleiha’s first-class facilities combine the best aspects of an interactive classroom with those of an immersive field trip and its array of eclectic activities that serve up authentic experiences will be remembered for a lifetime by its visitors,” said Mahmoud Rashid Al Suwaidi, Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism Manager.

A central element of Mleiha’s many archaeological amenities and historical sites is the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, which narrates the story of the UAE’s earliest ancestors who settled in the region and laid the country’s earliest foundations. The centre encourages visitors to learn more about  Sharjah through its original artifacts and antiquities on display, all of which were discovered through project excavations at Mleiha.

Mleiha Archaeological Centre is designed to be a place where archaeologists, anthropologists, researchers and students can learn more about archaeology, human development and the formation of early society. Included in the centre are exhibits from archaeological digs, educational displays about the historical periods of the region, documentary films on Mleiha’s history, lounges for resting and a cafe for reviving refreshments and delicious food.

Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-Tourism, emphasizes on the role of its Education Division at the destination, which frequently organizes educational tours that are specifically designed for students from schools, colleges and universities. Formulated to blend the best of classroom tuition with field trips, the tours take place inside the Mleiha centre as well as across the site's numerous historically significant archeological locations. Placing a focus on archaeology, history, and anthropology and tailoring its tours for different ages and levels of education, Mleiha seeks to enhance the student's' learning experience through creating an interactive and engaging learning environment. Throughout the year, Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-Tourism destination makes sure to participate in exhibitions, events and conferences with the aim to create interest among students and academics  over Mleiha and its ancient history.

Mleiha’s ‘Night-Time Escape’ packages offer even more of an after-dark education which include trekking and stargazing, with all visitors given private classes in natural history and astronomy as part of the experience. Visitors who wish to enjoy the wonders of the night time firmament and gain a deeper understanding of our place in the galaxy can enjoy an unparalleled nocturnal experience by its ‘Sunset Lounge’ or by its ‘Overnight Camping’ activity.

Mleiha’s management is keen to highlight that education is one of the site’s most important functions, stressing that all its staff members are highly knowledgeable about Mleiha’s array of treasures, whether archaeological, geographical or related to natural history. All adventure tours in Mleiha are offered with a complimentary indoor museum visit, with visitors taken around the centre by one of its guides, all of whom are extremely well versed in providing fascinating information relating to the site. The Archaeological Tour is one of the most popular packages through which visitors are guided around the various zones in Mleiha outdoors, with explanations given on how each site is historically significant.

“Mleiha’s employees have been carefully selected based on their education, skill sets and knowledge of archaeology, culture, natural history, paleontology, and astronomy. We currently have English-speaking and Arabic-speaking guides, all of whom are highly experienced and extremely knowledgeable about the site, its heritage and its unique stories,” added Al Suwaidi.

With its commitment to meeting the requirements of all visitors - whether intrepid desert explorer, nature lover, desert sports fan or keen archaeology buff - Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism Project is playing a leading role in helping to keep the rich culture of the region alive. The authority is aiming to further build on Mleiha’s success with its soon-to-be-opened Phase Two of the project, which will cement its position as a first choice destination for visitors all year round. Visitors wishing to enjoy a full package of activities and exciting experiences offered by Mleiha Archaeological and Ecotourism can find out more at: discovermleiha.ae