In the AlUla Desert of Saudi Arabia, a monumental stone structure dating back to 5200 B.C., known as "mustatil", was discovered by a team of University of Western Australia-led researchers. This structure, a unique representation of Neolithic ritual sites, was composed of two platforms connected by perpendicular walls, creating a vast courtyard. Excavations revealed that these structures were used for ritualistic activities, with chambers built into the walls holding evidence of the same.
Despite the modern artistic developments in AlUla, its rich archaeological heritage, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra, is not forgotten. The study of these culturally significant structures is a focus for the Royal Commission for AlUla, in collaboration with the University of Western Australia.
The most recent mustatil discovery, encompassing a 7,000-year-old complex, held 260 fragments of animal remains, primarily skulls, horns and teeth of domesticated animals. These findings, clustered around a central stone known as a "betyl", suggest that the mustatil was used for animal sacrifice. As per the researchers, this structure provides the earliest evidence of animal domestication and sacrifice in northwest Arabia, predating previous findings by nearly 900 years.
Melissa Kennedy, a researcher and archaeologist from UWA's School of Humanities, suggests that the animal remains indicate a connection in cultic beliefs, rituals, and pilgrimage activities throughout northern Arabia. She added that the prevalence of livestock indicates the region's potential for supporting pastoralism, suggesting a continuation of the Holocene wet period in the region. These new findings necessitate a reevaluation of our understanding of the Neolithic period in the Arabian Peninsula.
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