Saudi Arabia discovers new archaeological site that dates back 120,000 years

The first human footprint discovered at the Alathar ancient lake. Humans may have hunted the big mammals but they did not stay long, using the watering hole as a waypoint on a longer journey. This detailed scene was reconstructed by researchers in a new study published in Science Advances on September 16, following the discovery of ancient human and animal footprints in the Nafud Desert that shed new light on the routes our ancient ancestors took as they spread out of Africa. Klint Janulis / AFP

An elephant trackway found in the Nafud Desert. The discovery sheds new light on the routes our ancient ancestors took as they spread out of Africa. Paul Breeze / AFP

The edge of the Alathar ancient lake deposit, where the discoveries were made, and surrounding landscape in the Nafud Desert. Badar Zahrani / AFP

Animal fossils eroding out of the surface of the Alathar ancient lake deposit in the Nafud Desert in Saudi Arabia. Badar Zahrani / AFP

A fossilised elephant footprin found in the Nafud Desert of Saudi Arabia. The latest discoveries shed new light on the routes our ancient ancestors took as they spread out of Africa. Bagilbert Price / AFP

Researchers surveying the Alathar lake, situated within an interdunal depression in the western Nafud Desert, Saudi Arabia. Courtesy: Palaeodeserts Project

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has just unveiled the discovery of a new archaeological site that dates back 120,000 years.

Through a joint effort by local and international excavation teams, the footprints of humans, elephants and predators were discovered around an ancient dry lake on the outskirts of Tabuk, in the kingdom's northwestern region.

This marks the first scientific discovery of the oldest human habitation in the Arabian Peninsula as well as providing a rare glimpse into the living conditions of people in the region during their travels.

The team were able to identify footprint traces of seven humans, 107 camels, 43 elephants and other animal traces from ibex and bovine species, suggesting that they were moving in groups of adults and offspring.

Fossils of elephants and oryx bones were also discovered.

“Discoveries such as these help us to contextualise the kingdom’s history, allowing us to better understand the journey of our forebears from ancient civilisation 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,” said Dr Jasir Alherbish, chief executive of the Heritage Commission during a press conference.

“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.”