Life-sized Neolithic camel sculptures in Arabia: A scientific assessment of the craftsmanship and age of the Camel Site reliefs
Guagnin M, Charloux G, AlSharekh AM, Crassard R, Hilbert Y, Andreae MO, AlAmri A, Preusser F, Dubois F, Burgos F, Flohr P, Mora P, AlQaeed A, AlAli Y (2021)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2021
Journal
Article Number: 103165
DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103165
Abstract
The life-sized, naturalistic reliefs at the Camel Site in northern Arabia have been severely damaged by erosion. This, coupled with substantial destruction of the surrounding archaeological landscape, has made a chronological assessment of the site difficult. To overcome these problems, we combined results from a wide range of methods, including analysis of surviving tool marks, assessment of weathering and erosion patterns, portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and luminescence dating of fallen fragments. In addition, test excavations identified a homogenous lithic assemblage and faunal remains that were sampled for radiocarbon dating. Our results show that the reliefs were carved with stone tools and that the creation of the reliefs, as well as the main period of activity at the site, date to the Neolithic. Neolithic arrowheads and radiocarbon dates attest occupation between 5200 and 5600 BCE. This is consistent with measurements of the areal density of manganese and iron in the rock varnish. The site was likely in use over a longer period and reliefs were re-worked when erosion began to obscure detailed features. By 1000 BCE, erosion was advanced enough to cause first panels to fall, in a process that continues until today. The Camel Site is likely home to the oldest surviving large-scale (naturalistic) animal reliefs in the world.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Saudi Arabia Ministry of Culture
Saudi Arabia (SA)
National Center for Scientific Research / Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS)
France (FR)
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
Germany (DE)
Max-Planck-Institut für Menschheitsgeschichte / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History
Germany (DE)
University of Oxford
United Kingdom (GB)
King Saud University (KSU) / جامعة الملك سعود
Saudi Arabia (SA)
Max-Planck-Institut für Chemie (Otto Hahn Institut) / Max Planck Institute for Chemistry
Germany (DE)
Saudi Arabia (SA)
National Center for Scientific Research / Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS)
France (FR)
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
Germany (DE)
Max-Planck-Institut für Menschheitsgeschichte / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History
Germany (DE)
University of Oxford
United Kingdom (GB)
King Saud University (KSU) / جامعة الملك سعود
Saudi Arabia (SA)
Max-Planck-Institut für Chemie (Otto Hahn Institut) / Max Planck Institute for Chemistry
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Guagnin, M., Charloux, G., AlSharekh, A.M., Crassard, R., Hilbert, Y., Andreae, M.O.,... AlAli, Y. (2021). Life-sized Neolithic camel sculptures in Arabia: A scientific assessment of the craftsmanship and age of the Camel Site reliefs. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103165
MLA:
Guagnin, Maria, et al. "Life-sized Neolithic camel sculptures in Arabia: A scientific assessment of the craftsmanship and age of the Camel Site reliefs." Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports (2021).
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