Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Heritage Commission Prince Bader bin Abdullah announced on Thursday the documentation of the oldest known human settlement on the Arabian Peninsula. The settlement dates back to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period, specifically between 11,000 and 10,300 years ago.

The discovery was made at the “Masyoun” site northwest of Tabuk, during the ongoing archaeological excavations carried out by the Heritage Commission in partnership with Kanazawa University of Japan and in collaboration with NEOM.

The Masyoun site was first recorded in the National Antiquities Register in 1978. Renewed fieldwork since December 2022 has established its importance as the earliest known settlement on the Arabian Peninsula. Four intensive excavation seasons concluded in May 2024, during which researchers also documented surrounding rock art and inscriptions.

Excavations revealed semi-circular stone structures that formed residential units, storage areas, passageways, and fire pits. Stone tools such as arrowheads, knives, and grinding stones were uncovered, alongside decorative items crafted from amazonite, quartz, and shells, indicating both subsistence activities and early craftsmanship.

This milestone reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to advancing archaeological research and sharing discoveries that enhance understanding of human history on the Arabian Peninsula.