Ancient artists created giant camel engravings in the Arabian desert

In the heart of the Arabian desert, ancient peoples left behind a legacy of extraordinary rock art, including intricately carved, life-sized images of camels. These monumental works, thought to signify vital water sources, reveal much about the lives and cultures of early inhabitants.

In 2023, a team of researchers led by Michael Petraglia from Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia, unearthed a treasure trove of 176 engravings scattered across 62 panels in the Nefud desert of Saudi Arabia. The highlight of their findings includes 90 depictions of camels, supplemented by an additional 15 smaller camel engravings and two distinct camel footprints.

One remarkable site features a dromedary towering at a height of 3 meters, positioned perilously on a cliff over 40 meters high, a location the research team could only survey safely using drone technology.

“Engraving at such heights would have undoubtedly posed significant risks,” remarked Petraglia, emphasizing the dangers inherent in accessing these remote sites. “I would certainly refrain from attempting such feats myself.”

The art not only showcases camels but also includes representations of other large animals, such as ibex, gazelles, aurochs, and even horses, hinting at a much more temperate climate in the past. Alongside these engravings are human figures and various ceremonial faces.

“These aren’t mere sketches or random markings; they encapsulate elements of cultural significance for ancient peoples,” states Petraglia, highlighting the engravings’ role in conveying messages about territorial claims or transient water sources.

These findings further substantiate the rich history of human habitation in Saudi Arabia, suggesting extensive prehistoric settlement patterns. The engravings exhibit signs of antiquity, as a natural varnish has formed over them, a process that scientists estimate spans approximately 8000 years. However, due to the challenges of directly dating the artwork, researchers dug into the sediment layers beneath the rock art panels.

In this excavation, the team uncovered stone tools, beads, and ochres that indicated trade and cultural links with Late Neolithic communities in the Levant. The dating of these artifacts suggests they range in age from 12,800 to 11,400 years, providing a crucial context for understanding the artistry and lifestyle of these ancient hunter-gatherers.

Researchers also conducted studies in nearby temporary lakes, known as playas, which ancient communities likely relied on for sustenance. Analyses of the sediment and pollen revealed that the climate at that time was wetter and more hospitable than today, enabling transient populations to thrive, although the landscape was still challenging for permanent settlement.

“These groups were likely highly mobile and remarkably innovative,” asserts Petraglia. “They were sophisticated hunter-gatherers rather than mere survivalists wandering the landscape.”