Lack of toolmaking stone limited prehistoric human settlements in Arabia
A study suggests early humans required both freshwater and specific rocks to settle in the Arabian Peninsula's interior.
An international team of researchers found that the availability of specific types of stone was as critical as water for prehistoric human settlements in the Arabian Peninsula, according to a Times of India report. While evidence of ancient lakes was found in the desert's interior, researchers did not find any evidence of human activity or the materials needed to create tools along the surveyed route.
The team conducted a survey of 1,500 kilometres across the Rub' al Khali desert between 15 November and 20 December 2023. During the 35-day expedition, they examined 125 sites and identified evidence of freshwater lakes at 55 locations, including sediment deposits and mollusc shells.
Despite the presence of water, the researchers found no archaeological remains of human occupation or suitable rocks for manufacturing tools. The study, published in Nature on 28 October 2026, suggests that early humans required knackable stone to shape into sharp edges for survival.
By comparing 363 known archaeological sites with geological data, researchers found that about 57 per cent of the peninsula's water-accessible areas lack the necessary stone for toolmaking. The study indicates that humans were more likely to establish settlements in specific pockets where both water and suitable rocks were available together.