Evidence shows ancient Saudi Arabia had complex and thriving communities, not struggling people in a barren land

JULY 5, 2024
Editors' notes
by Jane McMahon, The Conversation



Examples of enclosure construction on the Harrat 'Uwayrid. A–B: multi cellular "honeycomb" clusters of irregularly-shaped abutting enclosures with rubble walls—individual cells measure anywhere from 2.5 m to 35 m; C–D: Standing Stone Circles with upright stone walls (single Standing Stone Circle examples pictured). Credit: Levant (2024). DOI: 10.1080/00758914.2024.2350826


To date, little has been known about people living in north-western Saudi Arabia during the Neolithic—the period traditionally defined by the shift to humans controlling food production and settling into communities with agriculture and domesticated animals.

The piecemeal evidence available hinted traditional ideas—of small struggling groups constantly on the move across the barren lands—needed to be revisited.

Now, an Australian-led team has released new research in the journal Levant on monumental buildings we call "standing stone circles." The findings are helping to rewrite what we know about the people who lived on this land between 6,500 and 8,000 years ago.

Our evidence reveals what they ate, what tools they used and even the jewelry they wore. It leads us to think these people weren't struggling so much after all, but rather had found complex and strategic ways to thrive on the land for millennia.

More:
https://phys.org/news/2024-07-evidence-ancient-saudi-arabia-complex.html