Artefacts found in Hail, Saudi Arabia. SPA
Artefacts found in Hail, Saudi Arabia. SPA
Artefacts found in Hail, Saudi Arabia. SPA
Artefacts found in Hail, Saudi Arabia. SPA

The National

Saudi Arabia discovers a 350,000-year-old archaeological site in Hail

Find of oldest human habitation in Arabian Peninsula recovers 354 artefacts and reveals changes in human behaviour over history

Mariam Nihal

May 13, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

One of the world's oldest Acheulean sites was found in the northern region of Hail in Saudi Arabia.

The discovery of the oldest human habitation in the Arabian Peninsula was revealed in an article in Nature Scientific Report, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The site, Al Nasim, has paleo-environmental evidence for freshwater lakes and rivers, and geomorphological features associated with Middle Pleistocene materials.

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage began paleo-environmental and archaeological surveys of the Green Arabian Project more than 10 years ago in partnership with the German Max Planck Society, the University of Oxford, the Saudi Geological Survey and King Saudi University in Riyadh.

The survey reveals that the Arabian Peninsula had wetter conditions and a rainy climate in the central region.

This led to the formation of lakes, rivers, valleys and vegetation that contributed to a better way of living for human beings and altered the spatial distribution of hominins within and between continents.

Archaeological studies also suggest that the earliest living man inhabited South-West Asia and that the Acheulean civilisation had one of the longest-lasting tool-making traditions.

The artefacts found included hand axes and stone tools, providing an insight about the inhabitants’ way of living.

“Al Nasim represents one of the oldest documented Acheulean sites in Saudi Arabia, revealing regionally diverse stone tool assemblages used by Middle Pleistocene man, which further indicates a pattern of repeated entry of inhabitants into the peninsula during the wet ‘Green Arabia’ phase,” the SPA reported.

The site comprises a deep, narrow basin where several Palaeolithic artefacts were recovered, which are similar to those previously found at the Acheulean sites in the Nefud Desert.

The similarity between the Acheulean discoveries in Al Nasim and those in the Nefud Desert indicate that the paleolakes of this region provided an important corridor for humans to travel and meet others.

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Read more: Saudi Arabia’s Al Ula archaeologists unearth Gulf’s first domesticated dogs

The Royal Commission for Al-Ula revealed that a team of archaeologists in the province of Al-Ula, northwestern Saudi Arabia, has discovered the oldest evidence of dogs that coexisted with humans in the Arabian Peninsula, dating back to 4000-4200 BC. SPA
The Royal Commission for Al-Ula revealed that a team of archaeologists in the province of Al-Ula, northwestern Saudi Arabia, has discovered the oldest evidence of dogs that coexisted with humans in the Arabian Peninsula, dating back to 4000-4200 BC. SPA
The Royal Commission for Al Ula revealed that a team of archaeologists in the province of Al Ula, northwestern Saudi Arabia, has discovered the oldest evidence of dogs that coexisted with humans in the Arabian Peninsula, dating back to 4000-4200 BC. SPA
The Royal Commission for Al Ula revealed that a team of archaeologists in the province of Al Ula, northwestern Saudi Arabia, has discovered the oldest evidence of dogs that coexisted with humans in the Arabian Peninsula, dating back to 4000-4200 BC. SPA
Rebecca Foote, director, archaeology and cultural heritage research at Royal Commission for Al Ula. Courtesy Discovery Channel
Rebecca Foote, director, archaeology and cultural heritage research at Royal Commission for Al Ula. Courtesy Discovery Channel
A still from 'The Architects of Ancient Arabia' shows Hegra, Al Ula, Saudi Arabia. Courtesy Discovery Channel
A still from 'The Architects of Ancient Arabia' shows Hegra, Al Ula, Saudi Arabia. Courtesy Discovery Channel
A still from 'The Architects of Ancient Arabia' shows Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first Unesco World Heritage Site, at Al Ula, Saudi Arabia. Courtesy Discovery Channel
A still from 'The Architects of Ancient Arabia' shows Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first Unesco World Heritage Site, at Al Ula, Saudi Arabia. Courtesy Discovery Channel
A still from 'The Architects of Ancient Arabia' shows Jebel Al Fil (or Elephant Rock), Al Ula. Courtesy Discovery Channel
A still from 'The Architects of Ancient Arabia' shows Jebel Al Fil (or Elephant Rock), Al Ula. Courtesy Discovery Channel
Al Ula airport will welcome international flights. Courtesy RCU
Al Ula airport will welcome international flights. Courtesy RCU
A still from 'The Architects of Ancient Arabia' shows the Tomb of Lihyan, son of Kuza at Hegra, Al Ula. Courtesy Discovery Channel
A still from 'The Architects of Ancient Arabia' shows the Tomb of Lihyan, son of Kuza at Hegra, Al Ula. Courtesy Discovery Channel
The Royal Commission for Al Ula revealed that a team of archaeologists in the province of Al Ula, northwestern Saudi Arabia, has discovered the oldest evidence of dogs that coexisted with humans in the Arabian Peninsula, dating back to 4000-4200 BC. SPA
The Royal Commission for Al Ula revealed that a team of archaeologists in the province of Al Ula, northwestern Saudi Arabia, has discovered the oldest evidence of dogs that coexisted with humans in the Arabian Peninsula, dating back to 4000-4200 BC. SPA
The Royal Commission for Al Ula revealed that a team of archaeologists in the province of Al Ula, northwestern Saudi Arabia, has discovered the oldest evidence of dogs that coexisted with humans in the Arabian Peninsula, dating back to 4000-4200 BC. SPA
The Royal Commission for Al Ula revealed that a team of archaeologists in the province of Al Ula, northwestern Saudi Arabia, has discovered the oldest evidence of dogs that coexisted with humans in the Arabian Peninsula, dating back to 4000-4200 BC. SPA
Al Ula's Old Town in Saudi Arabia has reopened to visitors. Courtesy RCU
Al Ula's Old Town in Saudi Arabia has reopened to visitors. Courtesy RCU
Al Ula Old Town is know for its anicent mud-brick houses. Courtesy RCU
Al Ula Old Town is know for its anicent mud-brick houses. Courtesy RCU
RIYADH, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA. 29 SEPTEMBER 2019. Sulaiman Al Juwayhil, tour guide in Al Ula, giving a tour in Madaen Saleh. (Photo: Reem Mohammed/The National) Reporter: Section:
RIYADH, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA. 29 SEPTEMBER 2019. Sulaiman Al Juwayhil, tour guide in Al Ula, giving a tour in Madaen Saleh. (Photo: Reem Mohammed/The National) Reporter: Section:

Last year, the Heritage Commission discovered traces of humans, elephants and camels among other animals at a dry paleolake dating from more than 120,000 years ago in Tabuk.

It was the first discovery with scientific evidence of the oldest footprints of man and animals in the Arabian Peninsula.

Saudi experts at the Heritage Commission continue to work on the Green Arabian Project with those from the Max Planck Institute to study climate changes in the Arabian Peninsula over time, and the history of ancient immigrations from other continents.

More on ancient artefacts

Why the Tourist Club?

Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.

In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.

It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.

Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.

Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.

Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.

Charlotte Gainsbourg

Rest

(Because Music)

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

if you go

The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.

The trip 

Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.

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