Discovery of Ancient Rock Art in Saudi Arabia

As part of the “Green Arabia” project, an international team of archaeologists, in coordination with the Heritage Commission of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, has discovered a remarkable collection of rock engravings in northern Saudi Arabia. These engravings include over 176 individual carvings spread across three previously unexplored sites: Jabal Arnoun, Jabal Maliha, and Jabal Musamma.

Rock Art in Its Natural Context

The engravings are notable for their exquisite detail and large size, with some figures reaching up to 3 meters in length and more than 2 meters in height. The carvings depict detailed images of animals such as camels, ibexes, horses, gazelles, and aurochs, reflecting the biodiversity that existed during that period.

These engravings date back to between 12,800 and 11,400 years ago, a time when temporary lakes and rivers reappeared after centuries of severe drought. Sediment analyses have confirmed the presence of these ancient waters, which were essential for the human groups that settled in this harsh environment.

Cultural and Historical Significance of the Engravings

Dr. Maria Juanin from the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology stated that these engravings are not just rock art but expressions of cultural identity and statements of presence and access. She noted that these massive engravings might have represented land rights and memory across generations.

Researchers find evidence in these engravings of cultural connections between the inhabitants of this region and those of the Levant, as artifacts such as Khyamian-style stone points and green shell beads have been found, indicating long-distance interactions with Neolithic populations in the Fertile Crescent.

Challenges and Efforts in Creating the Engravings

These sites differ from previously known locations, as the engravings were carved on the faces of steep cliffs up to 39 meters high, in visually prominent spots. Ancient artists had to climb these cliffs and work under challenging conditions, reflecting the significant effort and symbolic importance of these engravings.

The effort involved in creating these engravings highlights the emotional and cultural attachment of the people of that era to their land and environment, and how they managed to secure livelihoods in a harsh desert landscape.

Conclusion

The discovery of rock engravings in the Nafud Desert is a significant archaeological achievement, highlighting the creativity and challenges faced by human communities living in a harsh environment. This discovery illustrates the extent of human adaptation to climatic and environmental changes during that period and enhances our understanding of the cultural and historical relationships between ancient societies. This work remains part of a broader effort to understand human history and the environmental changes that shaped the course of civilizations.