Presented here are the methodological approaches to and provisional results from, excavations at ... more Presented here are the methodological approaches to and provisional results from, excavations at the Dunefield Midden site. We discuss the spatial patterning of features and material remains, showing that the site offers a rare opportunity to investigate the nature of domestic organisation of what we believe to be a hunter gatherer camp site.
In this report we describe the fieldwork undertaken in the Farasan Islands during March 2008, wit... more In this report we describe the fieldwork undertaken in the Farasan Islands during March 2008, with an outline of key results and a preliminary assessment of their significance. This work build on the first season's fieldwork undertaken in 2006 and covers survey and excavation on land, and offshore exploration of the submerged landscape in inshore waters at depths down to about 20m.
Coauthors: Alshrekh, A., Bailey, G. N., Laurie, E. M., Momber, G., Moran, L. J., Sinclair, A., Williams, M. G. W., Al Shaikh, N., AlMary, A., and Al Gamdi, S.
Presented here are the methodological approaches to and provisional results from, excavations at ... more Presented here are the methodological approaches to and provisional results from, excavations at the Dunefield Midden site. We discuss the spatial patterning of features and material remains, showing that the site offers a rare opportunity to investigate the nature of domestic organisation of what we believe to be a hunter gatherer camp site.
Neolithic settlement in Arabia has been modelled in various ways in the literature. Use of the Ar... more Neolithic settlement in Arabia has been modelled in various ways in the literature. Use of the Arabian landscape during the early to mid-Holocene has been argued to have been relatively circumscribed. In this paper we argue that a large number of Neolithic sites in Arabia have not been included in discussions in the literature to date, and that these sites provide information about a wider range of settlement site types and locations than previously discussed. There is some evidence to suggest that people used the landscape pro- actively throughout the Holocene and were able to access water in previously known locations into the historic period. The pattern of lacustrine deposits in both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and their associated archaeological sites is a recurring one, and demonstrates a far wider use of the landscape during the Neolithic than hitherto discussed. The only exception is the central RubΚ al-Khālī where evidence of lithics seems to be lacking.
Wadi al-Sahba originates in the al-Kharj region in central Saudi Arabia and is formed by the co... more Wadi al-Sahba originates in the al-Kharj region in central Saudi Arabia and is formed by the confluence of several wadis. These drainage systems were originally formed by rain falling on the Najd plateau during the Quaternary period. The Wadi al-Sahba runs west-east to Sabkhat Mutti on the Saudi/UAE border. This study is centred on tracing the course of the wadi and the results of an archaeological investigation. Several historical sources and old maps of Arabia give the names 'River Aftan' or 'Wadi Aftan' and these possibly refer to the Wadi al-Sahba. It is probable that these mark an old east-west caravan route. This paper will assess the likelihood that the Wadi al-Sahba is the 'River/Wadi al-Sahba' and part of an old caravan/trade route. Important considerations in this regard will include the geographic formation of the wadi, the presence of vegetation, wildlife and water sources and the nature of the archaeological sites found there. The relationship between the Wadi al-Sahba and surrounding areas with significant archaeological sites, such as al-Kharj, Yabrin and Hofuf, will also be examined. Similarly, the relationship with other, well-documented trade and caravan routes in the area will be investigated.
On the edge of the Empty Quarter ( RubΚ al- Khālī) of Saudi Arabia lies the oasis of Yabrīn, an i... more On the edge of the Empty Quarter ( RubΚ al- Khālī) of Saudi Arabia lies the oasis of Yabrīn, an incredibly rich archaeological landscape. The hills to the north, south- east, and west are covered in Thousands of burial mounds of many different forms and sizes. There is evidence in several places close to a sabkha ( salt flat) and its associated wells, of Stone Age sites and other settlements dating back thousands of years. In this paper, the information about Yabrīn contained in fifteen maps of Arabia, dating from 1778 to 1924, is analysed and assessed for accuracy in comparison with current knowledge. The information recorded in these maps is then used to suggest the relative importance of Yabrīn within Arabian caravan routes of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in particular. The implications for Yabrīn’s Historic importance in these networks of trade and pilgrimage are then examined.
Wādī al-Sahbā' originates in the al-Kharj region in central Saudi Arabia and is formed by the con... more Wādī al-Sahbā' originates in the al-Kharj region in central Saudi Arabia and is formed by the confluence of several wadis; these ancient drainage systems were originally formed by rain falling on the Najd plateau during the Quaternary period. Wādī al-Sahbā' runs west–east to Sabkhat Muttī on the Saudi/UAE border. Several historical sources and old maps of Arabia give the names “River Aftan” or “Wadi Aftan” and these possibly refer to the Wādī al-Sahbā'. It is probable that these mark an old caravan route. In order to test this hypothesis we traced the course of the wadi and conducted an archaeological investigation. This paper will assess the likelihood that Wādī al-Sahbā' is the “River/Wādī Aftan” and part of an old caravan/trade route. Important considerations in this regard include the geomorphology of the wadi, the presence of vegetation, wildlife, and water sources, and the nature of the archaeological sites found there. The relationship between Wādī al-Sahbā and surrounding areas with significant archaeological sites, such as al Kharj, Yabrīn, Wādī Hanīfah, and Wādī NisāΉ is also examined in this paper. Similarly, the relationship with other, well-documented trade and caravan routes in the area has been investigated
On the edge of the Empty Quarter (RubΚ al-Khālī) of Saudi Arabia lies the oasis of Yabrīn, an inc... more On the edge of the Empty Quarter (RubΚ al-Khālī) of Saudi Arabia lies the oasis of Yabrīn, an incredibly rich archaeological landscape. The hills to the north, south-east, and west are covered in thousands of burial mounds of many different forms and sizes. There is evidence in several places close to a sabkha (salt flat) and its associated wells, of Stone Age sites and other settlements dating back thousands of years. In this paper, the information about Yabrīn contained in fifteen maps of Arabia, dating from 1778 to 1924, is analysed and assessed for accuracy in comparison with current knowledge. The information recorded in these maps is then used to suggest the relative importance of Yabrīn within Arabian caravan routes of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in particular. The implications for Yabrīn’s historic importance in these networks of trade and pilgrimage are then examined.
Presented here are the methodological approaches to and provisional results from, excavations at ... more Presented here are the methodological approaches to and provisional results from, excavations at the Dunefield Midden site. We discuss the spatial patterning of features and material remains, showing that the site offers a rare opportunity to investigate the nature of domestic organisation of what we believe to be a hunter gatherer camp site.
In this report we describe the fieldwork undertaken in the Farasan Islands during March 2008, wit... more In this report we describe the fieldwork undertaken in the Farasan Islands during March 2008, with an outline of key results and a preliminary assessment of their significance. This work build on the first season's fieldwork undertaken in 2006 and covers survey and excavation on land, and offshore exploration of the submerged landscape in inshore waters at depths down to about 20m.
Coauthors: Alshrekh, A., Bailey, G. N., Laurie, E. M., Momber, G., Moran, L. J., Sinclair, A., Williams, M. G. W., Al Shaikh, N., AlMary, A., and Al Gamdi, S.
Presented here are the methodological approaches to and provisional results from, excavations at ... more Presented here are the methodological approaches to and provisional results from, excavations at the Dunefield Midden site. We discuss the spatial patterning of features and material remains, showing that the site offers a rare opportunity to investigate the nature of domestic organisation of what we believe to be a hunter gatherer camp site.
Neolithic settlement in Arabia has been modelled in various ways in the literature. Use of the Ar... more Neolithic settlement in Arabia has been modelled in various ways in the literature. Use of the Arabian landscape during the early to mid-Holocene has been argued to have been relatively circumscribed. In this paper we argue that a large number of Neolithic sites in Arabia have not been included in discussions in the literature to date, and that these sites provide information about a wider range of settlement site types and locations than previously discussed. There is some evidence to suggest that people used the landscape pro- actively throughout the Holocene and were able to access water in previously known locations into the historic period. The pattern of lacustrine deposits in both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and their associated archaeological sites is a recurring one, and demonstrates a far wider use of the landscape during the Neolithic than hitherto discussed. The only exception is the central RubΚ al-Khālī where evidence of lithics seems to be lacking.
Wadi al-Sahba originates in the al-Kharj region in central Saudi Arabia and is formed by the co... more Wadi al-Sahba originates in the al-Kharj region in central Saudi Arabia and is formed by the confluence of several wadis. These drainage systems were originally formed by rain falling on the Najd plateau during the Quaternary period. The Wadi al-Sahba runs west-east to Sabkhat Mutti on the Saudi/UAE border. This study is centred on tracing the course of the wadi and the results of an archaeological investigation. Several historical sources and old maps of Arabia give the names 'River Aftan' or 'Wadi Aftan' and these possibly refer to the Wadi al-Sahba. It is probable that these mark an old east-west caravan route. This paper will assess the likelihood that the Wadi al-Sahba is the 'River/Wadi al-Sahba' and part of an old caravan/trade route. Important considerations in this regard will include the geographic formation of the wadi, the presence of vegetation, wildlife and water sources and the nature of the archaeological sites found there. The relationship between the Wadi al-Sahba and surrounding areas with significant archaeological sites, such as al-Kharj, Yabrin and Hofuf, will also be examined. Similarly, the relationship with other, well-documented trade and caravan routes in the area will be investigated.
On the edge of the Empty Quarter ( RubΚ al- Khālī) of Saudi Arabia lies the oasis of Yabrīn, an i... more On the edge of the Empty Quarter ( RubΚ al- Khālī) of Saudi Arabia lies the oasis of Yabrīn, an incredibly rich archaeological landscape. The hills to the north, south- east, and west are covered in Thousands of burial mounds of many different forms and sizes. There is evidence in several places close to a sabkha ( salt flat) and its associated wells, of Stone Age sites and other settlements dating back thousands of years. In this paper, the information about Yabrīn contained in fifteen maps of Arabia, dating from 1778 to 1924, is analysed and assessed for accuracy in comparison with current knowledge. The information recorded in these maps is then used to suggest the relative importance of Yabrīn within Arabian caravan routes of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in particular. The implications for Yabrīn’s Historic importance in these networks of trade and pilgrimage are then examined.
Wādī al-Sahbā' originates in the al-Kharj region in central Saudi Arabia and is formed by the con... more Wādī al-Sahbā' originates in the al-Kharj region in central Saudi Arabia and is formed by the confluence of several wadis; these ancient drainage systems were originally formed by rain falling on the Najd plateau during the Quaternary period. Wādī al-Sahbā' runs west–east to Sabkhat Muttī on the Saudi/UAE border. Several historical sources and old maps of Arabia give the names “River Aftan” or “Wadi Aftan” and these possibly refer to the Wādī al-Sahbā'. It is probable that these mark an old caravan route. In order to test this hypothesis we traced the course of the wadi and conducted an archaeological investigation. This paper will assess the likelihood that Wādī al-Sahbā' is the “River/Wādī Aftan” and part of an old caravan/trade route. Important considerations in this regard include the geomorphology of the wadi, the presence of vegetation, wildlife, and water sources, and the nature of the archaeological sites found there. The relationship between Wādī al-Sahbā and surrounding areas with significant archaeological sites, such as al Kharj, Yabrīn, Wādī Hanīfah, and Wādī NisāΉ is also examined in this paper. Similarly, the relationship with other, well-documented trade and caravan routes in the area has been investigated
On the edge of the Empty Quarter (RubΚ al-Khālī) of Saudi Arabia lies the oasis of Yabrīn, an inc... more On the edge of the Empty Quarter (RubΚ al-Khālī) of Saudi Arabia lies the oasis of Yabrīn, an incredibly rich archaeological landscape. The hills to the north, south-east, and west are covered in thousands of burial mounds of many different forms and sizes. There is evidence in several places close to a sabkha (salt flat) and its associated wells, of Stone Age sites and other settlements dating back thousands of years. In this paper, the information about Yabrīn contained in fifteen maps of Arabia, dating from 1778 to 1924, is analysed and assessed for accuracy in comparison with current knowledge. The information recorded in these maps is then used to suggest the relative importance of Yabrīn within Arabian caravan routes of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in particular. The implications for Yabrīn’s historic importance in these networks of trade and pilgrimage are then examined.
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Coauthors: Alshrekh, A., Bailey, G. N., Laurie, E. M., Momber, G., Moran, L. J., Sinclair, A., Williams, M. G. W., Al Shaikh, N., AlMary, A., and Al Gamdi, S.
Dunefield Midden site. We discuss the spatial patterning of features and material remains, showing that the
site offers a rare opportunity to investigate the nature of domestic organisation of what we believe to be a
hunter gatherer camp site.
Thousands of burial mounds of many different forms and sizes. There is evidence in several places close to a sabkha ( salt flat) and its associated wells, of Stone Age sites and other settlements dating back thousands of years. In this paper, the information about Yabrīn contained in fifteen maps of Arabia, dating from 1778 to 1924, is analysed and assessed for accuracy in comparison with current knowledge. The information recorded in these maps is then used to suggest the relative importance of
Yabrīn within Arabian caravan routes of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in particular. The implications for Yabrīn’s
Historic importance in these networks of trade and pilgrimage are then examined.
wadis; these ancient drainage systems were originally formed by rain falling on the Najd plateau during the Quaternary period. Wādī al-Sahbā' runs west–east to Sabkhat Muttī on the Saudi/UAE border. Several historical sources and old maps of Arabia give the names “River Aftan” or “Wadi Aftan” and these possibly refer to the Wādī al-Sahbā'. It is probable that these mark an old caravan route. In order to test this hypothesis we traced the course of the wadi and conducted an archaeological investigation. This paper will assess the likelihood that Wādī al-Sahbā' is the “River/Wādī Aftan” and part of an old caravan/trade route. Important considerations in this regard include the geomorphology of the wadi, the presence of vegetation, wildlife, and water sources, and the nature of the
archaeological sites found there. The relationship between Wādī al-Sahbā and surrounding areas with significant archaeological
sites, such as al Kharj, Yabrīn, Wādī Hanīfah, and Wādī NisāΉ is also examined in this paper. Similarly, the relationship with other, well-documented trade and caravan routes in the area has been investigated
landscape. The hills to the north, south-east, and west are covered in thousands of burial mounds of many different forms and sizes.
There is evidence in several places close to a sabkha (salt flat) and its associated wells, of Stone Age sites and other settlements
dating back thousands of years. In this paper, the information about Yabrīn contained in fifteen maps of Arabia, dating from 1778
to 1924, is analysed and assessed for accuracy in comparison with current knowledge. The information recorded in these maps is
then used to suggest the relative importance of Yabrīn within Arabian caravan routes of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in
particular. The implications for Yabrīn’s historic importance in these networks of trade and pilgrimage are then examined.
Coauthors: Alshrekh, A., Bailey, G. N., Laurie, E. M., Momber, G., Moran, L. J., Sinclair, A., Williams, M. G. W., Al Shaikh, N., AlMary, A., and Al Gamdi, S.
Dunefield Midden site. We discuss the spatial patterning of features and material remains, showing that the
site offers a rare opportunity to investigate the nature of domestic organisation of what we believe to be a
hunter gatherer camp site.
Thousands of burial mounds of many different forms and sizes. There is evidence in several places close to a sabkha ( salt flat) and its associated wells, of Stone Age sites and other settlements dating back thousands of years. In this paper, the information about Yabrīn contained in fifteen maps of Arabia, dating from 1778 to 1924, is analysed and assessed for accuracy in comparison with current knowledge. The information recorded in these maps is then used to suggest the relative importance of
Yabrīn within Arabian caravan routes of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in particular. The implications for Yabrīn’s
Historic importance in these networks of trade and pilgrimage are then examined.
wadis; these ancient drainage systems were originally formed by rain falling on the Najd plateau during the Quaternary period. Wādī al-Sahbā' runs west–east to Sabkhat Muttī on the Saudi/UAE border. Several historical sources and old maps of Arabia give the names “River Aftan” or “Wadi Aftan” and these possibly refer to the Wādī al-Sahbā'. It is probable that these mark an old caravan route. In order to test this hypothesis we traced the course of the wadi and conducted an archaeological investigation. This paper will assess the likelihood that Wādī al-Sahbā' is the “River/Wādī Aftan” and part of an old caravan/trade route. Important considerations in this regard include the geomorphology of the wadi, the presence of vegetation, wildlife, and water sources, and the nature of the
archaeological sites found there. The relationship between Wādī al-Sahbā and surrounding areas with significant archaeological
sites, such as al Kharj, Yabrīn, Wādī Hanīfah, and Wādī NisāΉ is also examined in this paper. Similarly, the relationship with other, well-documented trade and caravan routes in the area has been investigated
landscape. The hills to the north, south-east, and west are covered in thousands of burial mounds of many different forms and sizes.
There is evidence in several places close to a sabkha (salt flat) and its associated wells, of Stone Age sites and other settlements
dating back thousands of years. In this paper, the information about Yabrīn contained in fifteen maps of Arabia, dating from 1778
to 1924, is analysed and assessed for accuracy in comparison with current knowledge. The information recorded in these maps is
then used to suggest the relative importance of Yabrīn within Arabian caravan routes of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in
particular. The implications for Yabrīn’s historic importance in these networks of trade and pilgrimage are then examined.