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This Lava Tube in Saudi Arabia Has Been a Human Refuge for 7,000 Years
Quick Facts
- A study published in the journal PLOS One revealed evidence of ancient human occupation in a lava tube in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
- The site, Umm Jirsan, contained stone tool fragments, animal remains, and human bones dating back close to 7,000 years.
- Archaeologists believe that early humans used the volcanic cave as a way station during migrations between oases, offering refuge from extreme climatic conditions.
When ancient humans entered the Arabian Peninsula, they encountered a volcanic landscape marked by craters and frozen lava flows. Swaths of these otherworldly volcanic fields are adorned with archaeological remains, including Umm Jirsan, a lava tube in northwestern Saudi Arabia. A recent study published in the journal PLOS One has revealed the presence of stone tool fragments, animal remains, and human bones dating back close to 7,000 years within this subterranean cave.
Archaeologists believe that early humans likely used Umm Jirsan as a temporary refuge during migrations between oases, providing a safe haven from the region’s shifting and extreme climatic conditions. With thousands of similar volcanic caves across Saudi Arabia, this discovery holds significant promise for understanding the migratory patterns of early humans and provides valuable insights into their ancient way of life.
The Arabian Peninsula has been a site of human migration and occupation for hundreds of thousands of years, and the recent excavation of Umm Jirsan offers a new perspective on the ancient history of the region. The presence of stone tool fragments, animal remains, and human bones within the lava tube sheds light on the enduring human presence in this volcanic realm, spanning over 7,000 years. This discovery underscores the potential of Saudi Arabia’s lava tubes as windows into the lives of our ancestors, offering a unique opportunity to unravel the mysteries of early human migrations and settlements.
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