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Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahsa Oasis: A Green Jewel Reflecting Past Climate Shifts
Present-day Arabia is characterized by its arid desert landscape. However, geological records indicate that this region experienced periods of lush greenery multiple times over the last 8 million years. This verdant past suggests that animals, potentially including early human ancestors previously thought to be restricted to Africa, could have migrated into the Arabian Peninsula.
Ancient Green Arabia and Animal Migrations
Michael Petraglia, a researcher at Griffith University, posits that the cyclical nature of desert and green phases in Arabia throughout history could have facilitated animal dispersal from Africa.
“Deserts are periodically activating and deactivating over time,” explains Petraglia. “We have evidence of hippopotamuses migrating out of Africa. Why not hominins as well?”
Implications for Human Ancestry
The findings related to Arabia’s fluctuating environment have significant implications for understanding early human dispersal patterns and challenging previous assumptions about hominin geographical constraints. The potential for habitable corridors in Arabia during past green phases opens new avenues for exploring human origins and migration routes out of Africa.