Shuwaymis is a fascinating place, renowned for its ancient rock art that offers a glimpse into the prehistoric life of the Arabian Peninsula. Recognized in 2015 along with Jubbah as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shuwaymis is celebrated for its outstanding petroglyphs that span over 10,000 years. These carvings reflect significant economic and cultural changes, as well as the adaptations of people to climate changes in a region that has long been a bridge between Africa and other continents.
Location and Significance
Located 190 km north of Medina, near the massive lava fields of Harrat Khaybar, Shuwaymis is named after the closest village, although the carvings are actually 30 kilometers to the west. This site is situated at the southern end of a valley that runs in a broad north-south direction, containing ancient wadis where water once flowed during more humid periods.
Climate Changes and Environmental Shifts
The rock art of Shuwaymis provides compelling evidence of past climates. During the 7th millennium BCE, Shuwaymis was at the northern edge of the African Summer Monsoon rainfall regime. This period saw the landscapes of Arabia transformed into environments with lakes, wetlands, and expanded vegetation, vastly different from today’s arid conditions. Lake sediments found in the oasis towns of Tayma and Jubbah indicate that lake formation occurred as early as 10,000 BCE.
Human Occupation and Rock Art
While direct dates for the rock art of Shuwaymis are absent, the content, patina, and stratigraphic relationships of the carvings, along with knowledge of Levantine prehistory, help outline the main stages of human occupation. The rock art can be divided into distinct periods:
- Exclusive Hunting Period: Featuring frequent depictions of equids/horses.
- Herding Period: Includes hunting scenes of ibex and later camel depictions, showing no connection to earlier rock art.
The transition from hunting to herding is debated, with some suggesting that Levantine herders introduced domestic animals to exploit new pastures, while others argue that local hunter-gatherers began herding introduced livestock. A combination of both models is also possible, reflecting different patterns in various parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
Species Spectrum
Despite the large sample size, fewer than 20 animal species are represented in the rock art of Shuwaymis. The early engraving period includes a wide range of wild animals such as onager (African wild ass), cheetah, leopard, hyena, Arabian wolf, gazelle, lion, and ibex, along with domestic hunting dogs and cattle.
With the exception of lions, ibex, and oryx, which are present throughout the creation of rock art in Shuwaymis, the depiction of wild animals ceases in the later phase. The rock art becomes dominated by depictions of desert-adapted domesticates such as camels, horses, donkeys, and ostriches. The absence of cattle in the later engraving period indicates that the shift to aridity may have made cattle herding impossible in this region.
A Typical Style
The majority of human depictions in both hunter and herder scenes are of a type that is very typical for the rock art at Jubbah and Shuwaymis. These have been grouped into two different styles:
- Naturalistic and Detailed Depictions: Associated with the Neolithic period (from 10,000 BCE).
- Less Detailed Depictions: Tentatively linked to the Chalcolithic period (from 5,000 to 3,000 BCE).
Many human figures have a very slim and elongated body, with clearly depicted arms and legs, sometimes bent at the knee, and small feet.
Ancient Inscriptions
Although Shuwaymis is not famous for ancient inscriptions, it still hosts a few that attest to the long human occupation of the area until more recent times. Thamudic and Nabatean scripts have been identified on the rocks of Rata and Al-Manjoor, indicating that travelers passed by Shuwaymis. The absence of Arabic writing suggests that Shuwaymis was no longer frequented during the Islamic era.
Stone Structures
More evidence of the long-term population of Shuwaymis is found in stone structures built on the plateaus of Rata and Al-Manjoor and in the surrounding valleys. Some have the recognizable keyhole shape typical of tombs from the Bronze Age (3,100 to 1,000 BCE).
How to Visit Shuwaymis
The location of the town of Shuwaymis is available on Google Maps, but the rock art sites are not indicated. A new road west of Shuwaymis leads to the gate of the rock art site, with panels along the way indicating the direction to Rata and Al-Manjoor. The main carving sites are fenced and permanently guarded. It is mandatory to obtain permission from the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) prior to visiting Shuwaymis. Permissions are nominative, for fixed dates, and all visitors must present their IDs at the gate.
Conclusion
Shuwaymis stands as a testament to the rich prehistoric heritage of the Arabian Peninsula. Its rock art not only showcases the artistic prowess of ancient peoples but also provides invaluable insights into the environmental and cultural shifts that have shaped the region over millennia. For anyone interested in the deep history of Arabia, Shuwaymis is a must-visit destination.
