The groundbreaking discovery was made during research in the Tabuk region. Archaeologists believe that this is the earliest evidence of the presence of modern people in the Arabian Peninsula. In the area of an ancient dry lake, traces of sons, hippos and camels have also been found. A total of 376 fossil tracks were discovered, of which only 7 belonged to humans, 44 to sons and 107 to camels.
“This archaeological discovery is the first scientific evidence of the oldest human existence in Saudi Arabia, and offers a rare view of the region’s natural environment and biodiversity,” said Dr. Jasser Al Herbish.
A landmark discovery
According to experts, the footprints belong to at least two people. This discovery allows a different look at the migration of Homo sapiens outside Africa. Mathew Stewart, lead author of the study, in Science Article, wrote that “inland routes along lakes and rivers could be of special importance to people leaving Africa.”
Scientists, examining the footprints, estimated the attitudes and masses of those who left them. On this basis, they determined that they belonged to representatives of Homo sapiens, not Neanderthals.
“We believe it’s Lady Homo sapiens.” The oldest ones outside of Africa. We know older hominin footprints, but they are attributed to other species, such as the Neanderthals. We know humans left Africa about 120,000 years ago and that Neanderthals were not in the region until the climate recovered, tens of thousands of years later. That’s why we think the footprints are Homo sapiens, Stewart said.
Scientists believe that Homo sapiens chose this area because it was rich in water and game. Other animal traces found testify to this.
North Arabia an attractive place to live
The Arabian Peninsula is now vast deserts. Over the past decade, scientists have discovered that centuries ago, the conditions in this area were completely different – the humidity was much greater and the area was green.
Richard Clark-Wilson of the Royal Holloway University of London, co-author of a study in Saudi Arabia, concluded that in the past, the predominant deserts in the interior of the peninsula had been transformed into vast meadows with constant freshwater lakes and rivers.
– The presence of large animals, such as elephants and hippos, along with open beds and abundant water resources, could make North Arabia a particularly attractive place for people moving between Africa and Eurasia, the scientist emphasized.
Dr. Jasser Al Herbish added that son fossils found in the area will spark research into the presence of these majestic animals on the Arabian Peninsula.
rdo: saudigazette.com / news.sky.com / Science Article
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