Saudi Arabia uncovers ancient footprints

Undated combination file photo shows human and animal footprints found in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission announced on Wednesday the discovery of ancient human and animal footprints dating back more than 120,000 years in Tabuk in northern Saudi Arabia. Jasir Alherbish, head of the Heritage Commission, said during a press conference in capital Riyadh that the archaeological discovery in Tabuk, which represents the first scientific evidence of human life on the Arabian Peninsula, was made by a joint team of Saudi and international archaeologists. (Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission/Handout via Xinhua)

Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission announced on Wednesday the discovery of ancient human and animal footprints dating back more than 120,000 years in Tabuk in northern Saudi Arabia.

Jasir Alherbish, head of the Heritage Commission, said during a press conference in capital Riyadh that the archaeological discovery in Tabuk, which represents the first scientific evidence of human life on the Arabian Peninsula, was made by a joint team of Saudi and international archaeologists.

According to the results of the archaeological survey, the team identified footprint traces of seven humans, 107 camels, 43 elephants and other animals.

In addition to the footprints, hundreds of fossils were found at the site, including 233 skeletal remains of elephants and oryx, along with signs of the presence of predators at the time by identifying traces of their tusks on the bones.

Alherbish said that such discoveries "help us better understand the journey of our forebears from ancient civilization to where we are today."

The Heritage Commission is currently overseeing the conservation and restoration of several archaeological sites, which will eventually be open to visitors. Plans to host archaeological exhibitions locally and abroad are also underway.

Jasir Alherbish, head of Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission, receives an interview in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sept. 16, 2020. Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission announced on Wednesday the discovery of ancient human and animal footprints dating back more than 120,000 years in Tabuk in northern Saudi Arabia. Jasir Alherbish said during a press conference in capital Riyadh that the archaeological discovery in Tabuk, which represents the first scientific evidence of human life on the Arabian Peninsula, was made by a joint team of Saudi and international archaeologists. (Xinhua/Tu Yifan)