Saudi Arabia has announced the discovery of the oldest known human settlement on the Arabian Peninsula, dating back more than 11,000 years.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the discovery was made at the “Masyoun” site northwest of Tabuk during archaeological excavations conducted by the Heritage Commission in partnership with Japan’s Kanazawa University and in collaboration with NEOM.

Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Heritage Commission Board of Directors, Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, confirmed the settlement dates to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period (11,000–10,300 years ago).

The Masyoun site, first recorded in the National Antiquities Register in 1978, has undergone renewed fieldwork since December 2022.

Four intensive excavation seasons concluded in May 2024, establishing its significance as the earliest known settlement in the region.

Researchers also documented rock art and inscriptions in the surrounding areas. Excavations revealed semi-circular stone structures used as residential units, storage spaces, passageways, and fire pits.

Stone tools such as arrowheads, knives, and grinding stones were unearthed, along with decorative objects made from amazonite, quartz, and shells — evidence of both daily subsistence and early craftsmanship.

Officials described the discovery as a milestone in the Kingdom’s efforts to advance archaeological research and broaden understanding of human history on the Arabian Peninsula.