Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted

Pre-historic Tell al-Sultan site on world heritage list: UNESCO

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 17 Sep 2023 17:17
3 Min Read

UNESCO has added the Pre-historic Tell al-Sultan to its world heritage list during the 45th World Heritage Committee Meeting held in Riyadh.

  • x
  • Tell al-Sultan site (PhotoGrab)
    Tell al-Sultan site near the Occupied West Bank city of Ariha. (PhotoGrab)

On Sunday, UNESCO officially added the "pre-historic site of Tell al-Sultan" to its World Heritage List.

This archaeological site is situated near the Occupied West Bank city of Ariha. The decision was announced on X and was made during the 45th World Heritage Committee Meeting held in Riyadh.

During the session to inscribe the site, UNESCO's Assistant Director General, Ernesto Ottone, highlighted that the nominated property is the prehistoric archaeological site of Tell al-Sultan, located outside the ancient city of Jericho. He emphasized that the site contains prehistoric remains and clarified that there are no Jewish or Christian artifacts or remains at the location.

Read next: UNESCO designating Ariha as Palestinian site infuriates 'Israel'

A UNESCO diplomat, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed this information and mentioned that no objections were raised by any state party during the three-year candidacy process that led to the site's inscription. It's worth noting that "Israel" had withdrawn from UNESCO in 2019, citing allegations of anti-"Israel" bias within the organization.

Related News

Abu Obeidah: Commander Deif wrote Palestine’s final liberation chapter

Israeli 'humanitarian city' plan jeopardizes Gaza ceasefire deal talks

World's oldest fortified city

Despite this, UNESCO's decision underscores the significance of Tell al-Sultan as an integral part of the diverse Palestinian heritage, with exceptional historical value, according to Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Maayah, who attended the meeting in Riyadh. Maayah further emphasized the importance of Tell al-Sultan as the world's oldest fortified city and its deserving status as a World Heritage Site.

Several cultural customs, traditions, skills, and events from the #Arab world have been newly added to #UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. pic.twitter.com/AortcHXpZn

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 10, 2022

Tell al-Sultan, predating even Egypt's pyramids, is an oval-shaped tell or mound located in the Jordan Valley, containing prehistoric evidence of human activity.

UNESCO noted that the site exhibits skulls and statues, indicating cultic practices among its Neolithic inhabitants, while early Bronze Age archaeological materials reveal signs of urban planning.

Having been under excavation for over a century, Tell al-Sultan proudly claims the title of the world's oldest continuously inhabited settlement, as reported by the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa. With its inscription, Tell al-Sultan becomes the fourth Palestinian site to join UNESCO's world heritage list, joining the ranks of the Church of the Nativity and the Old City of Al-Khalil.

Read next: Saudi Arabia to allow 'Israel' to attend UNESCO Riyadh summit

  • UNESCO
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Riyadh
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Palestine

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS