In a remarkable scientific achievement, Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has announced the discovery of the longest-known climate record in the Arab world, and one of the longest globally, stretching back over 8 million years.
The discovery is the result of collaborative research involving 30 scientists from 27 local and international institutions, including the Saudi Heritage Commission, the Saudi Geological Survey, King Saud University, Germany’s Max Planck Institute, Griffith University in Australia, and research centers from Germany, Italy, the UK, and the United States.
The findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature under the title:
“Recurrent humid phases in Arabia over the past 8 million years”, as part of the ongoing efforts under the “Green Arabia Project”, which aims to explore the environmental and natural history of the Arabian Peninsula.
Researchers analyzed 22 cave formations (stalagmites and stalactites) taken from seven deep cave systems, locally known as Dahul Al-Summan, located northeast of Riyadh near Shuwaiyah in Ramah Governorate.
This groundbreaking study offers a rare and detailed look into ancient climate conditions in the Arabian Peninsula, shedding light on the environmental shifts that shaped the region’s landscape and ecosystems over millions of years.
The project plays a key role in advancing scientific research, while enhancing our understanding of Saudi Arabia’s natural heritage and its deep environmental history.
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