Long before sand dunes and scorching sun defined the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia was actually a lush, green oasis flourishing with life!

In a major scientific revelation, the Saudi Heritage Commission (SHC) has announced that the region served as a vital ecological corridor between Africa and Asia about 8 million years ago.

This exciting discovery, part of the Green Arabia Project, came through the analysis of cave samples from Duhool Al-Samman near Rumah!

Researchers found oxygen and hydrogen isotopes preserved in ancient formations—traces that confirmed several humid, rainy phases that once transformed the land into a fertile bridge for biodiversity and early human life.

The study involved 30 scientists from around the globe and was recently published in the prestigious Nature journal!

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Experts say this not only redefines the region’s ancient past but also helps inform Saudi Arabia’s future, especially as the Kingdom pushes forward with sustainability efforts like Green Riyadh. 🌿

“This isn’t just about archaeology, it’s about reimagining our landscapes and heritage,” says Jasir Al-Herbish, CEO of the SHC

And with Saudi Arabia increasingly investing in its environmental legacy, these findings offer a hopeful vision of restoring some of that ancient greenery.