A recent archaeological discovery in the North Arabian desert provides new insights into the lives of people around 12,000 years ago. High up on a cliff, life-sized animal engravings were discovered, indicating the use of water sources and the survival strategies of ancient communities. The paintings have survived for millennia and have retained their meaning despite erosion.
Recent Archaeological Discovery: What We Know
As ScienceAlert reported, an international research team documented more than 170 rock engravings in previously unexplored areas such as Jebel Arnaan, Jebel Mleiha, and Jebel Misma. Their findings were noted in their study. The engravings from the recent archaeological discovery depict camels, ibexes, wild donkeys, gazelles, and aurochs — some nearly about 10 feet tall. Archaeological layers beneath the engravings even yielded engraving tools used to create the artworks.
The discoveries illustrate that people 12,000 years ago were able to utilize seasonal lakes in the desert. The rock paintings not only mark the water source, butt also the routes that led to them. This suggests a far-reaching network of communities that shared stone tools and jewelry with regions like the Levant.
Latest News
Further Findings
The research also shows that these artworks were created at a time when Arabia was much wetter than it is today. Grasslands offered sufficient grazing areas, and people skillfully adapted to the climatic conditions. Monumental rock paintings served as navigational aids and symbolic representations of survival in a harsh environment.
This recent archaeological discovery expands our knowledge of the adaptability and innovative power of early humans. It sheds new light on the use of resources and social networks in the ancient desert landscape. Future research could uncover even more rock paintings and further refine the timeline of human settlement in Arabia.
Sources: ScienceAlert; “Monumental rock art illustrates that humans thrived in the Arabian Desert during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition” (Nature Communications, 2024)
This article was translated with the help of AI and carefully reviewed by our editorial team.