• The discovery marks the first scientific evidence of human life on the Arabian Peninsula.
  • “The Kingdom boasts some of the region’s richest heritage spanning thousands of years, and this discovery demonstrates what can be learned from Saudi Arabia’s diverse landscape”, Jasir Alherbish, Heritage Commission CEO, Ministry of Culture, Saudi Arabia.

RIYADH: – A group of Saudi and international archaeologists supported by the Kingdom’s Heritage Commission have uncovered ancient human and animal footprints, dating back more than 120,000 years, in Tabuk, northern Saudi Arabia. The groundbreaking discovery represents the first scientific evidence of human life on the Arabian Peninsula, providing a rare glimpse into the ancient ecosystem that existed alongside the area’s human inhabitants.

The discovery was made by the Green Arabia Project – a joint collaboration between Germany’s Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, the University of Queensland in Australia, King Saud University in Riyadh, the Saudi Geological Survey and Aramco, overseen by the Heritage Commission. The Green Arabia Project focuses on the prehistory of the Arabian Peninsula, studying the impact of the changing environment on human and animal life.

Dr. Jasir Alherbish, CEO of the Heritage Commission said during a press conference:

“Discoveries such as these help us to contextualize the Kingdom’s history, allowing us to better understand the journey of our forebears from ancient civilization to where we are today. The Kingdom boasts some of the region’s richest heritage spanning thousands of years, and this discovery demonstrates what can be learned from Saudi Arabia’s diverse landscape.” 

“A team of highly qualified Saudi archaeologists and researchers worked alongside our international partners to uncover, document and preserve these previously unearthed treasures. We hope that such discoveries will inspire the next generation of Saudi historians and archaeologists, as we continue to uncover more of the Kingdom’s untold history.”

The Heritage Commission is currently overseeing the conservation and restoration of a number of archaeological sites, which will eventually be open to visitors. Plans to host archaeological exhibitions locally and abroad are also underway.   

-Ends- 

For further enquires please email: media@moc.gov.sa 

  • A total of 107 camel footprints were uncovered at the site, as well as 43 elephant footprints and prints of antelope and bovine species.
  • In addition to the footprints, hundreds of fossils were found at the site, including 233 skeletal remains of elephants and oryx.
  • Signs of predators were also found through identifying traces of tusks found on the bones, indicating that carnivores fed on these animals.
  • The Heritage Commission, one of the Ministry of Culture’s 11 sector-specific commissions, oversees the Kingdom’s heritage sector, promoting, documenting and preserving Saudi Arabia’s tangible and intangible heritage, handicrafts and craftsmen and women.
  • The Commission plans to open up a range of archeological sites to visitors in line with its efforts to promote national heritage both domestically and internationally. It will also support the preparation and publication of archaeological research.
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