• 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:

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


  • English
  • Arabic

Archaeologists in Saudi Arabia's Al Ula province unearthed graves dating back 6,000 years and the earliest evidence of human and dog coexistence in the Arabian Peninsula.

Al Ula, 1,100 kilometres from Riyadh, is the location of the ancient city of Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first Unesco World Heritage Site and the main southern city of the Nabataean Kingdom in the first century that also built the Unesco site of Petra in Jordan.

A team of archaeologists have been working to find relics left at two ancient sites near by.

Researchers discovered a tomb containing canine remains buried in a cemetery thought to be one of the oldest burial sites in Saudi Arabia, dating back to about 4,300BC.

The find is the oldest evidence yet discovered that dogs coexisted with the ancient inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula region.

“Our discovery is creating a paradigm shift in the way we view periods like the Neolithic era in the Middle East,” said Melissa Kennedy, assistant director of the Aerial Archaeological Survey in Al Ula.

The state-run Saudi Press Agency said evidence suggested the burial site was used for about 600 years from 4,300BC.

The Royal Commission for Al Ula said that the team responsible for the latest discovery is comprised of Saudi, Australian and European researchers who focused their efforts on two aboveground burial sites dating back to the fourth and fifth millennium BC.

"Al Ula is at a point where we're going to begin to realise how important it was to the development of mankind across the Middle East," said Hugh Thomas, director of Aerial Archaeology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The two sites are about 130 kilometres apart and one is on the volcanic heights of Al Ula while the other is on Al Ula’s rough and arid plains.

During the excavations, the team uncovered 26 dog bones and 11 human bones from six adults, a teenager and four children at the first site on the volcanic uplands of Al Ula. Upon examining the bones, the team noticed signs of arthritis.

Laura Stroulin, the team's animal archaeologist, was able to prove the animal bones found were from a dog by analysing one bone in particular, from the front left leg.

The width of the bone was 21mm, similar to other measurements found of other ancient Middle Eastern canines.

The fact that the dog was buried with its owner indicated the great importance placed on the animal, the SPA said.

The team, which began fieldwork in late 2018, discovered the sites using satellite imagery and aerial photography from a helicopter.

As well as the burials, the archaeologists found rock art from the same period depicting dogs being used to hunt ibex, wild donkey and other animals.

Other notable artefacts, such as a leaf-shaped pendant at the volcanic highland site and a bead at the arid Badlands site were discovered during the dig.

Researchers are expecting more discoveries in the future as they continue the archaeological aerial survey project in Al Ula.

“There is much more to come as we reveal the depth and breadth of the area's archaeological heritage," said Rebecca Foote, director of archaeology and cultural heritage research for the Royal Commission for Al Ula.

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten

Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a  month before Reaching the Last Mile.

Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

 

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go…

Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.

Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days. 

South Africa squad

: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

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"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

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Nepotism is the name of the game

Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad. 

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The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

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Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

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The Buckingham Murders

Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu

Director: Hansal Mehta

Rating: 4 / 5