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

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

The footprints of humans, elephants and predators were discovered around an ancient dry lake on the outskirts of Tabuk

Evelyn Lau
Evelyn Lau
Abu Dhabi

September 17, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

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.”

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.

Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.

Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes

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