Ancient Rock art in Saudi Arabia hints at how humans repopulated desert
14 hours ago
- #rock-art
- #ice-age
- #archaeology
- Archaeologists discovered three ancient rock art sites in Saudi Arabia, dated to 12,000 years old.
- The rock art is the earliest evidence of human repopulation of the area after the last ice age.
- The carvings depict life-sized images of camels, aurochs, gazelles, ibex, and wild horses.
- Researchers found 176 engravings and 532 stone tools, suggesting the carvers were hunter-gatherers.
- The art and tools date back to 11,400–12,800 years ago, predating previous evidence by 2,000 years.
- The discovery suggests the area had ephemeral water sources, attracting both animals and humans.
- The tools resemble those from the Levant, indicating the carvers may have migrated from the north.
- The findings fill an 'archaeological hole' in central Arabia, revealing a rich history previously unknown.