It  is the most exciting archeological find in Saudi Arabia in recent times. Large horse sculptures have been unearthed in Al-Magar, in the central region of Saudi Arabia, along with Neolithic artifacts and tools dating back 9,000 years. The length of one horse figure, comprising the neck and chest, found at the site is nearly 100 cms, which could be the largest sculpture for a horse during that period. Other statues found in Turkey and Syria were of smaller size, and were not of horses.

The significance of the find is that it can now be deduced that horses were domesticated in Saudi Arabia at least 9,000 years ago. Earlier studies had indicated that domestication of the animal was known for the first time some 5,500 years ago in Central Asia, mainly in Kazakhstan.

The features of the horse statue are similar to those of the original Arabian horses, characterized by long neck and a unique head shape. On the head of the excavated statue, there are clear signs of a bridle, which confirms that the inhabitants of Al-Magar domesticated horses in those early periods.

Several stone statues and carvings of conceivably domesticated animals have also been found on the site that may possibly have been part of the daily life of the inhabitants. These included sheep, goats, salukis, ostriches, falcons, fish and horses.

AGE CONFIRMED In order to ascertain and confirm the history of the site, four samples of burnt organic material were taken from Al-Magar and sent to a specialized laboratory in the United States. The results confirmed that the site dates back 9,000 years.

All the statues were made of the same type of stone found at the site. They appeared to have been set in a building at the center of the site on the southern bank of the river, before the mouth of the waterfall. Perhaps this building had a major role in the social life of the people residing on the site.

Some of the caves near the castle were used as graves by the inhabitants. Skeletal remains were found there, besides other graves covered with mud and hay. Burial methods applying mummification techniques were traced in the intact skeletons, and are seen as an advanced technique for burial. In addition to the stone tools, arrow heads, scrapers and spearheads, other objects were also found at the site including stone grain-grinders and stone pestle for pounding grains. Also found were gravitation stones used in weaving looms, stone reel for spinning and weaving, soapstone pots decorated with geometrical motifs and stone tools for leather processing. All these artifacts reflect the people’s advanced knowledge and their high handicraft skills at that time.

In addition to these artifacts, a stone dagger was found bearing the same features and shape of the traditional Arabian dagger currently used in the Arabian Peninsula. This artifact is an important cultural component, as the dagger is one of the most important traditional elements of Arabs. According to this evidence, the dagger dates back to several thousand years and has survived till the present time. The presence of stone daggers at this 9,000-year-old site speaks volumes of the ancient history of the Arabian Peninsula.

ROCK DRAWINGS There are rock drawings in the area adjacent to Al-Magar. The petroglyphs were created by deep pecking and engraving on the darkly paginated rock surface. Ibexes, ostriches and other animals as well as human figures including a knight riding a horse are carefully depicted. Another drawing shows hunting of ibexes pursued by hound dogs. Five dogs are shown surrounding an ibex. The petroglyphs have turned black with time, which indicate that these were made during the time when the site was inhibited. Other rock drawings found among the remains of the central building in Al-Magar include drawings of horses and human beings.

On the surface there is a large spread of archaeological objects scattered over a wide area including arrow heads, precisely-made stone scrapers similar to those used during the Neolithic period. The spot is surrounded by other sites extending over a wide area, where similar objects were found. Some of them were agricultural implements.

In all, more than 80 artifacts were collected from the surface of Al-Magar, reflecting clearly the existence of an advanced civilization during the Neolithic period 9,000 ago. This civilization could be considered as a revolution in human knowledge, skills and handicraft. It may be concluded that this civilization was not confined to this site alone, but may have spread both in and around the Arabian Peninsula. Only future studies, including field work and comparative studies on the findings from other sites, will confirm this.

REMOTE AREA Al-Magar is located in a remote area of central Arabia between Tathleet and Wadi Al-Dawaser about 40 kms from the town of Gayirah in the province of Tathleet. The site is known for its topography located at a junction between the Najd Plateau and the edges of the eastern mountains. The area is composed of small hills and a number of valleys. There is a central valley in the area, which was once the site of a river running westward, forming waterfalls and carrying water to the low fertile lands west of Al-Magar on both banks of the river.

Man lived in this area before the last desertification or before the drastic climatic changes that resulted in hot and dry conditions leading to the development of deserts. The early settlements in this area experienced these climatic changes. Inhabitants of this site were well versed with agriculture and animal husbandry.

Not far from here, runs the main route linking south-western Arabia with its central region. This route later became – during past historical periods – the main trade route between Najran and Al-Fao. The location represents the civilization of various human settlements that settled on the site long ago. A scientific team, comprising a number of international researchers, is now being formed to carry out further research and studies on the site and to unearth more secrets of this civilization.