Remains of hundreds of 7,000-year-old 'standing stone circles' discovered in Saudi Arabia

Hundreds of well-preserved stone circles, dating back approximately 7,000 years, have been discovered by archaeologists in Saudi Arabia. These standing stone circles were likely used as dwellings in the past. Aerial surveys conducted across the Harrat 'Uwayrid, a lava field near AlUla in northwestern Saudi Arabia, revealed around 345 of these ancient structures. Ranging from 13 to 26 feet in diameter, each circle featured a central standing stone with remnants of stone walls, doorways, and traces of roofs made of stone or organic materials.

During the excavation, researchers uncovered stone tools made from basalt, with a staggering total of nearly 500 pounds collected from just five of the stone circles. Additionally, bones from sheep, goats, and cows were found along with seashells originating from the Red Sea about 75 miles west from the site. The presence of these seashells suggests the existence of ancient trade networks and exchange systems. Based on the artifacts found and their resemblance to similar structures excavated in Jordan, it is believed that these stone circles served as domestic dwellings rather than having a purely ritualistic purpose, as commonly associated with stone circles like Stonehenge.

Jane McMahon, the lead author of the research paper and an honorary research fellow at the University of Western Australia, highlighted the significance of round-shaped early domestic architecture. Rectangular houses only emerged in the later Neolithic period, while circular dwellings were more prevalent globally. However, it should be noted that farming activities were not practiced during the time these stone circles were in use. McMahon suggested that inhabitants likely gathered wild plants and possibly modified the landscape to enhance access to these resources.

In parallel with the standing stone circles, another type of stone structure, referred to as a mustatil, was constructed. Mustatils, characterized by their rectangular shape, are believed to have had ritualistic purposes including the potential sacrifice of cattle. The coexistence of mustatils and standing stone circles indicates that both structures were part of a single cultural entity.

Gary Rollefson, a professor emeritus of anthropology at Whitman College and San Diego State University, shared his insights on the migration patterns of the ancient people who built these structures. He drew connections between the builders of the stone circles and mustatils in Saudi Arabia with people who had previously inhabited Jordan and Syria some 500 years earlier. Similarities in architecture and the husbandry of sheep, goats, and cattle suggest a potential ancestral link. Rollefson proposed that increasing human populations driven by advancements in hunting, such as the construction of stone walls called "kites" for hunting purposes, led to the gradual southward movement of these communities from Jordan into what is now Saudi Arabia.

The recent discovery of these well-preserved standing stone circles sheds light on ancient settlement patterns, building techniques, and links between different regions of the Arabian Peninsula. The ongoing excavations in Saudi Arabia provide valuable insights into the cultural and social aspects of ancient societies in the region.