Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Recent research has unveiled a more complex picture of Neolithic communities in north-western Saudi Arabia, challenging previous notions of a nomadic lifestyle.
During the Neolithic period, people in this region began controlling food production, settling in communities, domesticating animals, and practicing agriculture, contradicting the idea of constant travel on barren lands.
A study published in the journal Levant by a team of Australian researchers focuses on monumental buildings known as "standing stone circles," which offer new insights into the lives of these ancient people.
The research covers 431 standing stone circles in the AlUla and Khaybar regions. Of these, 52 structures were surveyed in detail, and 11 were excavated, providing significant data on the Neolithic inhabitants.
Findings from buildings on the Harrat 'Uwayrid, a volcanic plateau, reveal that these stone circles were used by mobile pastoralist communities for over a millennium.
The study recovered remnants indicating that people lived in these structures for over 1,000 years, showcasing their ability to thrive in the region.
Researchers employed both modern and traditional techniques to navigate the practical challenges of studying in remote and rugged landscapes.
Evidence suggests that animal skins were used to roof the structures, and stone tool-making, cooking, and processing animal hides were common activities among the inhabitants.
The findings highlight the advanced survival strategies and complex lifestyle of the people in north-western Saudi Arabia between 6,500 and 8,000 years ago, reshaping our understanding of their history.