Life in Umm Jirsan

In an arid and open environment like the desert, organic archaeological remains are rare. It is therefore complicated for archaeologists to fully understand the cultural developments of these regions. Underground environments such as caves and lava tubes, widespread in the Arabian Peninsula but still little investigated, can however provide important information.
In a study published in April in the scientific journal Plos One, a group of researchers analyzed the results from excavations carried out inside the Umm Jirsan lava tube in north-west Saudi Arabia, revealing several phases of human occupation, from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age. Fragments of fabric and processed wood, human and animal remains were found. Furthermore, there were rock depictions of sheep on the walls which testify to the predominantly pastoral use of the lava tube and the surrounding landscape, suggesting that Umm Jirsan was located along a route connecting key oases. The isotopic data indicate that the sheep housed here fed mainly on wild grasses and shrubs rather than fodder, while humans had a protein-rich diet, with an increasing consumption of cereals and fruit over time, perhaps related to the emergence of agriculture in the oases.

The results of the study indicate that Umm Jirsan was used primarily by pastoral populations, with growing links to oasis settlements. The lava tube does not appear to have served as a permanent habitation site, but rather as a passage site along herding routes. In fact, it allowed access to shade and water for nomadic shepherds and their animals. Furthermore, it also served as a base for hunting, which probably remained a cornerstone of local economies until the Bronze Age.
Throughout history, lava tubes like Umm Jirsan have offered and offer a rich resource for human populations living in arid habitats and provide important information on the resources these populations have drawn on, providing an important area of ​​study for the future.


Agnese Picco
NP May 2024