Ancient Life-Size Rock Art Discovered in Saudi Arabia

In a groundbreaking discovery, Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has unveiled an extraordinary collection of life-size rock art in the Al Nafud desert, offering a vivid glimpse into life over 12,000 years ago.

The engravings, found south of the Al Nafud Al Kabir desert in the Hail Region, include 176 detailed carvings, featuring camels, horses, ibexes, gazelles, and the now-extinct aurochs. Many depictions stretch up to three meters, carved in elevated and hard-to-reach areas, showcasing the skill and dedication of ancient artists.

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This remarkable artwork was created during a humid phase between 13,000 and 16,000 years ago, a time when human populations flourished in areas that are now dry and arid. The discovery provides new insight into prehistoric lifestyles and suggests cultural and economic connections across the northern Arabian Peninsula.

Excavated under the “Green Arabia Project” in collaboration with international research teams, these engravings are considered the earliest scientifically dated rock art in the Kingdom, marking a significant milestone in understanding human history in the region.

The life-size carvings not only reveal the types of animals that roamed the desert but also reflect the ingenuity and artistic expression of prehistoric communities, offering a rare and tangible link to the distant past.