Archaeologists in Saudi Arabia have chance on a serial of rock reliefs dating back some 2,000 years . The life - sized sculptures show naturalistic impression of several animals , though they have been ill damaged by years of erosion and rough discourse by humans .
researcher from France ’s Centre Nationnal de la Recherche Scientifique ( CNRS ) and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage surveyed the website during three brief visits in March 2016 and March 2017 . The resulting paper , publish today in the science journal Antiquity , details about a dozen reliefs carved into the rock . call the “ Camel Site , ” it ’s the first uncovering of realistic , life - sized camel and horses chip at in low- and high - relief in the Arabian Peninsula .
Indeed , relief of any kind are rarified in Saudi Arabia . The sandstone formations are well-to-do to carve , but they ’re prostrate to erosion . Human activeness around the three rocky spurs have n’t help oneself things , either . In addition to learning more about these rest period , the report was an exertion to , in the row of the researchers , “ generate cognisance of endangered cultural heritage and to check the speedy saving of the site by the Saudi United States Department of State . ” The Camel Site is presently enclosed within a secret property , and in addition to wearing away , has suffer considerable damage from dozer , the illicit removal of blockage , and hooliganism .
Despite the poor shape of the relief , the researchers , led by Guillaume Charloux and Hussain al - Khalifah , were capable to identify around a dozen reliefs play camel and horses . The animals were shown without harnesses . One peculiarly interesting scene shew an Arabian one - humped camel ( a dromedary ) meet a donkey , the latter of which was seldom ( if ever ) represented in rock ‘n’ roll art .
The land site is also distinct in terms of the timber and the technical proficiency of the artist or artists . nontextual matter found in other halfway Eastern regions ( including Jordan ) tend to consist of basic engraving of camel without relief . The artists who carved these were skilled — and they likely came from afar . This part of northwest Saudi Arabia , Jawf Province , was as hostile 2,000 old age ago as it is today . Human habitation is next to impossible , and the closest water well is n’t available for miles .
So why did these ancient artists take the time and effort ( not to mention all the equipment ! ) to carve these sculptures in the center of nowhere ? As the author of the unexampled study line , the outcrop is locate near a former caravan path . The sculptures could have been used as a boundary marker , or as a spot where travelers could remain and/or adoration .
Whatever the reason , the placement was important enough at the time to justify such detailed attention . As rough as these sculptures see today , they would ’ve been a welcome and striking passel for weary travelers piss their trek across the desert .
[ Antiquity ]
anthropologyHistoryScienceSculpturesstatues
Daily Newsletter
Get the best tech , science , and culture newsworthiness in your inbox day by day .
News from the time to come , delivered to your present .
Please select your desired newssheet and render your email to upgrade your inbox .
You May Also Like
