Dr Huw Groucutt, lecturer in Mediterranean prehistory in the Department of Classics and Archaeology, has co-authored published in the journal PloS ONE. The study reports the discovery of evidence for human occupations in a lavatube in northwest Saudi Arabia, extending back ten thousand years. Dr Groucutt led the research team in the field, and the findings were then studied by a large international team of researchers working closely with the Saudi Heritage Commission and the Saudi Geological Survey.
Lava tubes form when flowing lava cools on the surface but keeps flowing underground. In the right geological conditions, the underground lava can then flow out and create a cave-like tunnel. Periodic collapses of the roof provide entrances into the passages. In this case, the researchers surveyed and excavated the Umm Jirsan lavatube, the longest lavatube in Arabia with over one kilometre of passages.
Dr Groucutt has been studying the archaeology and past climate of Saudi Arabia for fifteen years, with previous work focussing on places like ancient lakes (see for example this article ). One of the problems of open-air sites is that the harsh climate means very little organic material remains. At Umm Jirsan lavatube, the researchers found evidence for both human occupations and huge accumulations of bones, animal and human, which had been dragged underground by hyenas. Indeed, just a few years ago explorers of the lavatube reported growling sounds and shining eyes! The lavatube offers excellent conditions for preserving the remains, including ancient DNA, and various further studies are ongoing.
Humans used the lavatube for shelter, as they engaged in hunting, gathering, and pastoralism in the region. To contextualise their findings, Dr Groucutt and colleagues conducted surveys of the wider region and found ancient rock art engraved into cliffs showing animals such as cattle which were engraved in the Neolithic period. They also found obsidian on the sides of volcanoes, which were used by early humans to make their stone tools.
The research has been attracting considerable media interest, such as in the , the , and .
A video of Umm Jirsan made by our Saudi collaborators can be seen .
