Saudi arabia: Saudi Minister of Culture and President of the Heritage Authority, Prince Badr bin Farhan, announced the discovery of an ancient human settlement at the Masyoun site, located northwest of Tabuk. The findings were revealed on Thursday and mark a significant archaeological advancement in the understanding of early human settlements in the region.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the settlement dates back to the pre-pottery modern stone age, specifically between 10,000-11,000 years BC. Masyoun has been recognized as a national archaeological site since 1978. Recent field examinations, which began in December 2022, have uncovered remains of this ancient settlement.
A joint Saudi-Japanese team of excavators conducted four survey missions up until May 2024. Their work involved recording the archaeological strata, cataloging the finds, and analyzing organic specimens to determine the age of the site. The team discovered semi-circular construction units built with granite, remains of dwellings, warehouses, alleys, and fireplaces. Additionally, they found tools such as arrows, knives, cereal grinding instruments, and ornamented stone pieces.
The excavation also revealed human and animal skeletons, providing valuable insights into the lifestyles of the communities that inhabited the Arabian Peninsula. This discovery enhances the understanding of the connection between these ancient communities and those in the Al-Rafidain and the Levant regions.