A Heritage Commission and KAUST collaboration published in Nature Communications reveals the discovery of large-scale rock art panels in the Nefud Desert, dating back 12,000 years. Over 60 panels with 176 engravings were found depicting animals like camels and ibex. Paleoenvironmental analysis indicates surface water was present 14,000 years ago, supporting early human and wildlife expansion. Why it matters: The findings revise the timeline of human repopulation in Saudi Arabia's interior deserts after the Last Glacial Maximum and demonstrate the significance of interdisciplinary research in understanding the region's climate history.
KAUST's Beacon Development (KBD) is a key partner in the Heart of Arabia expedition, retracing a 750-mile journey across Saudi Arabia. The expedition aims to advance human performance understanding in extreme environments and deepen knowledge of pre-Islamic history and local biodiversity. KBD's Terrestrial Ecology and Conservation team is advising the field science component, providing equipment and expertise for data collection. Why it matters: This partnership highlights KAUST's commitment to environmental research and historical exploration, contributing to a deeper understanding of Saudi Arabia's natural and cultural heritage.
Salim T. S. Al-Hassani from the University of Manchester presented at KAUST's 2019 Winter Enrichment Program about the contributions of Muslim civilization to science and engineering. The lecture highlighted inventions like early clocks from Muslim heritage, including Al-Jazari's elephant clock. Al-Hassani aims to address the neglect of non-European cultures' impact on humanity. Why it matters: The talk emphasizes the historical significance of Islamic contributions to science and technology, relevant for promoting STEM education and cultural awareness in the region.
Historian Mike Bruton spoke at KAUST about scientific disruptors from the House of Wisdom during the Islamic Golden Age. These scholars made contributions like introducing the concept of zero and debunking the Greek theory of sight. Ibn al-Haytham revolutionized knowledge of optics, demonstrating that light bounces off objects and enters our eyes. Why it matters: The lecture highlights the significant scientific advancements made during the Islamic Golden Age and their lasting impact on modern civilization.
Dr. Laila Nehme, a French archaeologist from CNRS, visited KAUST as part of the Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) to discuss her work on Mada’in Saleh, also known as Al-Hijr or Hegra. Nehme co-directs the Saudi-French Archaeological Project and specializes in Nabatean epigraphy, studying the daily life of the ancient Nabateans through unearthed remains. Her team, working with the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, is beginning its third four-year program to study the site. Why it matters: The research sheds light on the historical significance of Mada’in Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Nabatean civilization's southernmost settlement, enhancing our understanding of the region's rich cultural heritage.
Science writer Dava Sobel spoke at KAUST in 2019 about the importance of longitude and precision timekeeping for navigation. She discussed the historical difficulties in determining longitude, contrasting it with the ease of finding latitude. Sobel highlighted the Longitude Act of 1714 and figures like John Harrison who addressed these challenges. Why it matters: This lecture exposed the KAUST community to the historical context of navigation and the crucial role of timekeeping, relevant to contemporary technologies like GPS.