Researchers have identified over a thousand mustatils—ancient rectangular stone formations—in northwest Saudi Arabia, dating back approximately 7,000 years, making them the oldest known ritual landscape structures globally. These formations are believed to have been used for ritual activities, possibly related to a Neolithic cattle cult that sacrificed animals as offerings to unknown deities. Rock art depicting cattle hunting and herding in the region supports this interpretation, suggesting a complex symbolic and religious relationship with cattle during this period.
The discovery resulted from a large-scale aerial survey funded by the Saudi government and supplemented by analysis of Google Earth imagery. The team’s findings, published in the journal Antiquity on April 30, highlight the scale and sophistication involved, noting that some of the mustatils extend up to 1,500 feet and required moving over 12,000 tons of basalt stone. Excavations have uncovered animal bones from cattle, sheep, goats, and gazelle inside niche chambers, providing tangible evidence of ritual sacrifice. Researchers also observed that some mustatils were constructed on volcanic slopes or partially covered by lava flows, indicating their significant antiquity.
The mustatils offer insight into early ritual practices in the Arabian Peninsula, predating well-known monuments like Stonehenge by over 2,000 years. Their existence challenges previous assumptions about the development of complex religious behavior and monument construction in prehistoric Arabia. Understanding these structures contributes to a broader perspective on how early human societies organized spiritual life and territory management, underscoring the importance of pastoralism in Neolithic cultures. Continued study may further illuminate the social and religious dynamics of one of the world’s earliest known ceremonial landscapes.
Source: Ancient Code
