Explore the Ancient Underground World of the Arabian Peninsula
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Cooling Off Underground
Thousands of years ago, inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula sought relief from the scorching heat by retreating underground. They utilized vast subterranean tunnels formed by ancient lava flows as shelters while traveling between oases and pastures.
Neolithic Herders in Lava Tubes
During the Stone Age, Neolithic herders made these lava tubes their homes, taking advantage of the cooler temperatures underground to escape the harsh desert climate. They lived alongside their livestock, leaving behind artifacts and intricate carvings on the tunnel walls.
Discoveries in Umm Jirsan
Located in the Harrat Khaybar lava field in Saudi Arabia, the Umm Jirsan tunnel system is the longest in the region. Recent archaeological excavations have unearthed animal bones dating back 400 to over 4,000 years, as well as human remains spanning from 150 to about 6,000 years ago.
The findings also include cloth remnants, wooden fragments, and various stone tools, indicating human occupation of the tunnels for at least 7,000 years.
Uncovering Human History
Lead researcher Dr. Mathew Stewart from Griffith University in Australia expressed surprise at the diverse evidence of human activity within the lava tubes. The discovery of rock art, tools, structures, and pottery sheds light on the long history of human habitation in these underground spaces.
Archaeologist Guillaume Charloux emphasized the importance of sites like Umm Jirsan in understanding ancient human migration patterns and adapting to changing climates.
Exploring Ancient Human Life in Northwestern Arabia
Research on ancient human settlements in northwestern Arabia has been limited, especially during the transition from the Neolithic period to the early 2nd millennium. According to Charloux, an expert in Saudi Arabian ancient sites, the recent excavation at Umm Jirsan revealed significant findings.
Green Arabia Project
The excavation at Umm Jirsan uncovered human remains, animal bones, carved wood, and stone tools, shedding light on the region's history.
Settling Around Oases
Local inhabitants began settling around newly formed oases during this period, influencing migration patterns for generations. The discovery of caves in the region highlights their importance in understanding the paleoenvironmental context.
Green Arabia Phases
For over 15 years, researchers like Stewart have been piecing together evidence of ancient human life in Arabia, particularly during the "Green Arabia" phases. These periods, characterized by increased humidity and lush vegetation, led to significant human migration into southwestern Asia.
However, the last Green Arabia phase occurred approximately 55,000 years ago, making it challenging to find well-preserved archaeological evidence due to harsh desert conditions.
Seeking better-preserved materials, scientists turned their attention to underground settings like Umm Jirsan, a site previously known for its diverse wildlife.
Green Arabia Project
Exploring the longest lava tube system in the region at Umm Jirsan.
Occupation of Umm Jirsan
Through dating animal bones and sediments, researchers determined that human occupation of the cave began around 7,000 years ago, possibly even earlier. The limited archaeological material suggests that people used the tunnels as temporary shelters rather than permanent residences.
Additionally, engraved rock art panels found near Umm Jirsan depict herding scenes and domesticated animals, providing insights into ancient human activities in the region.
The carvings, believed to date back to the Chalcolithic period, showcase a unique glimpse into the past, preceding significant historical developments.
The Ancient Bronze Age Discovery
“According to Stewart, the archaeological discoveries at the Umm Jirsan Lava Tube site and its surroundings reveal a pattern of continuous utilization spanning many centuries. Situated along a well-known migration path for Bronze Age pastoralists, the site likely functioned as a temporary shelter, offering protection from the elements,” stated Stewart.
The revelation of human habitation in ancient Arabian lava tubes provides valuable insights into how individuals adapted to living in arid environments. Stewart emphasized the importance of further exploration of Umm Jirsan and similar lava tube sites to uncover additional information.
Stewart expressed optimism about the potential of these sites to address existing gaps in both natural and cultural records within Arabian archaeology.
About the Author
Mindy Weisberger is a science writer and media producer with contributions featured in Live Science, Scientific American, and How It Works magazine.
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Scandal Surrounding Singer Yoo Jae-hwan Deepens: Allegations of Deception and Fraud
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Singer Yoo Jae-hwan / Photo = Seoul Economic Star
Additional revelations are coming out about Yoo Jae-hwan, who is under various suspicions, including not providing a song despite being paid to compose it and deceiving his bride-to-be by calling her his ‘half brother’.
On the 8th, Dispatch reported that Yoo Jae-hwan caused damage to pop singer Lim Hyeong-ju by ‘blocking the music source’. According to reports, he gave the songs ‘Red Thread’ and ‘A Flower’ to Lim Hyeong-ju, who asked him to work on the song. However, it was revealed that this song had already been given to another song client, Mr. A, and that Yoo Jae-hwan had been working on it by submitting one song to multiple clients.
Yoo Jae-hwan was also alleged to have committed constitution fee fraud targeting young people who were preparing for self-reliance. According to a report by Dispatch on the 7th, Mr. A, a young man preparing for independence, sent Yoo Jae-hwan 8 million won for composition fees and rental fees for three songs, but he did not receive the songs properly. Yoo Jae-hwan also asked them to lend him money in the name of his parents’ hospital expenses.
According to a report by Dispatch, there are about 16 victims who did not receive the song properly despite asking Yoo Jae-hwan to compose the song and paying the composition fee. They are preparing a class action lawsuit against Yoo Jae-hwan.
At the same time, a debate arose over privacy. According to a report by JTBC on the 29th of last month, Yoo Jae-hwan shocked the public when it was revealed that he described his future bride as ‘his half brother’ when expressing his interest in B, a composer client. , via a personal KakaoTalk message.
Meanwhile, after the controversy spread, Yoo Jae-hwan expressed his position through social media. He said on the 29th of last month, “If you need to receive a financial refund, please contact us separately and we will refund you after confirming the facts.” Regarding the allegations of sexual harassment, she said, “It’s unfair. We were close enough up until now, so the conversation was just a 19-year-old.”
However, as more testimonies from victims came to light, the debate grew. As a result, Yoo Jae-hwan deleted his statement and remained silent.
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Scandal Surrounding Singer Yoo Jae-hwan Deepens: Allegations of Deception and Fraud
What is known about the unannounced measure
Since Tuesday it was spread that the Union of Private Oil Tankers of Neuquén, Río Negro and La Pampa would make a 48 hour strikeduring the Wednesday and Thursday, against the reversal of the Income Tax and in support of the CGT strike against the Bases Law of the Javier Milei government. At least until the beginning of the protest, the information was not officially confirmed by the organization, although a note circulated that it would have been presented to the Ministry of Labor to give legal notice about the protest.
Yesterday, through Whatsapp, audios of oil delegates were circulating calling for a strike both on Wednesday and only on Thursday, which had generated confusion. At the same time, neither the Union nor its general secretary, Marcelo Rucci, publicly clarified the situation.
The text of a note that would have been presented to Labor did circulate, with an online message to rejection that Rucci had previously stated against the collection of Profits which is promoted with the Bases Law, which has half a sanction in Deputies and is debated in Senators.
This text would question that “between midnight and midnight, opinions are prepared behind the workers’ backs (a presentation made to the president of the Head Commission is attached to every event as prior to it) that are clearly pejorative and have as a result violate basic rights of oil tankers.
They would also indicate that The sanctioned regulations do not respect the exceptions to the collection of Profits for oil tankerscontemplated in law 26176. These would be articles 34 and 80 on food, 39 and 81 on travel hours, and 60 on “daily food.”
«Repeating mistakes of the past, without participation of the sectors involved, attempting to return oil workers to a state of anxiety and helplessness, sand wants to disrupt its reach and its peaceful interpretation«, they would accuse the national government in the note.
For his part, the Chubut Private Oil and Gas Unionled by Jorge Ávila, decided accompany the CGT strike on Thursday, May 9 for a period of 24 hours, affecting production, without going to work and without mobilization.
Income tax: more than 20 thousand oil workers will pay it again, estimated Rucci
The debate over the reversal of Income Tax generated concern and uncertainty among the workers of Neuquén. The leader of the Oil Workers union Marcelo Rucci estimated that more than 20 thousand employees would have the obligation to pay it again if the fiscal package is approved.
In addition to Profits, the bill contemplates a series of fiscal measures among which are money laundering, a moratorium, changes in the Personal Property Tax, the modification of the monotax and the elimination of the tax on property transfers.
The project that was circulated indicates that single workers in a dependency relationship They will begin to pay it from a gross salary of $1,800,000, while married people will do so from $2,200,000.
Besides, eliminates the Patagonian zonea differential of 22% that was added to the calculation of the non-taxable base.
The general secretary of the Private Oil and Gas union of Neuquén, Río Negro and La Pampa, He detailed that “around 70% of workers will pay the tax.” He estimated that there are “more than 20 thousand workers.”
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