Arabian Peninsula study links early human settlement to water and stone

A study published in the journal Nature reveals that the availability of both freshwater and suitable stone was essential for early human settlements in the Arabian Peninsula. While previous scientific models suggested that freshwater lakes in the desert interior were the primary drivers for human dispersal, researchers found that water alone was insufficient for permanent habitation.

An international research team, led by Jeffrey Rose of the University of Algarve, conducted a 1,500 kilometer expedition through the Rub’ al Khali desert in late 2023. Geologist Rudolf Dellmour of the University of Vienna identified remains of ancient freshwater lakes, such as shells and snail casings, at 55 of the 125 sites examined. These sites date back to between 122,000 and 67,000 years ago.

Despite the presence of water, the team found no evidence of stone tools or the raw materials, such as flint or quartzite, required to manufacture them within the desert interior. The researchers concluded that suitable stone for toolmaking only outcrops at the desert margins, while in the interior, these materials remain buried deep beneath sand and salt plains. This geological constraint explains why early populations did not settle in the lush, lake-filled areas of the deep desert.