Scientists uncovered stunning 12,000-year-old rock art in northern Saudi Arabia, revealing how ancient hunter-gatherers survived harsh desert conditions. Researchers found the carvings south of the Nefud desert, stretching 20 miles across mountainous terrain. The engravings include over 130 images of camels, ibex, gazelles, wild donkeys, and the extinct aurochs.
Some camel carvings measure more than seven feet tall, with others placed high on cliffs nearly 40 meters above ground. Archaeologists said these engravings marked water sources, helping early communities navigate seasonal lakes in a hostile environment.
Lead researcher Maria Guagnin explained that engravers worked from narrow ledges, risking their lives to create naturalistic depictions of animals. She said the images link directly to water availability and seasonal rainfall, marking crucial survival sites.
Using luminescence dating on stone tools, scientists confirmed the engravings were created between 12,800 and 11,400 years ago. Evidence shows the art was updated for millennia, reflecting continuity and cultural resilience.
Insights into Arabia’s Ancient Identity
The engravings often depict male camels in rut, signaling links to the rainy season and desert water pools. Researchers believe the art may also reflect cultural identity and social interaction with neighboring communities in the Levant.
Anthropologist Michael Petraglia noted that these communities displayed extraordinary adaptability in marginal landscapes. The findings prove early desert societies established themselves far earlier than previously thought, mastering Arabia’s unforgiving terrain.
