In a joint study conducted by Saudi Arabia and the UK as part of Green Arabia project, researchers have discovered remains of a 90000-year-old human bone. Dubbed to be part of a middle finger, the work was carried out as part of a joint project by scientists from Saudi Arabia and Oxford University in the UK. The presence of a human bone was announced by the head of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, Ali Ghabban. Codenamed as Green Arabia, the joint project was started in 2012. During the course of the last four years, scientists studied the various phases of climate change in the region. Moreover, they also found how drastic changes in the climate affected human migration and settlement.
Commenting on the discovery, Ghabban disclosed that the Green Arabia project has studied sites at ancient lakes in the Nafud desert. According to the Middle East Eye, the lakes were situated in the northern Arabian Peninsula. He added that the bone was discovered during excavations at Tayma, where a large oasis exists with a long history of habitation.
90000-year old bone discovered in Taas al-Ghadha
The 90000-year old bone believed to be that of a middle finger was discovered in the Taas al-Ghadha site. It was close to the northwestern city of Tayma. As per the new findings, we can infer that there was a presence of human habitation since over 325,000 years back.
Latest discovery part of world’s oldest human bone
According to Al Arabiya, Saudi Arabia announced the discovery of the “world’s oldest” human bone in Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The bone is supposed to be part of the middle portion of the middle finger of a human being, who loved nearly 90000 years ago. As of writing this, the latest finding is one of the oldest human trace found in the Arabian Peninsula.
Saudi Arabia vs Oxford University
A team of Saudi archaeologists and experts from Oxford University have been involved in a series of environmental and archaeological studies. They deeply studied the various historical sites in Saudi Arabia to find out the history of human presence several years ago.
As per the studies, the oldest bone belongs to a member of the Homo genus, which was responsible for the existence of modern human beings. Earlier, a jaw bone was discovered in Ethiopia that is believed to be around 2.8 million years old.
The Green Arabia project promotional project reveals that the Oxford University is a key partner of the state-run Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities.
