Ancient camel, gazelle carvings rewrite Arabian Desert history

Camels traced on a 3D model of the engravings. PIC/Sahout Rock Art

Researchers have found rock carvings of camels, gazelles and other animals - around 12,000 years old and many over 6 feet tall - in the Saudi Arabian desert.

These were created using a wedge-like rock to create sharp lines. Several were etched on narrow ledges so artists couldn't step back to survey the final work.

Carvings and engraving tools found show that people were living in the area about 2000 years earlier than thought.

It isn't clear how they survived in such arid conditions - whether they lived off of shallow lakes that pooled for part of the year or drank water that accumulated in deep crevices.

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