By alexandreCommunication

These engravings could be oldest scaled architectural plans for desert kites

These engravings could be oldest scaled architectural plans for desert kites

Archaeologists have discovered engravings in the Arabian Peninsula that could be the oldest known examples of scaled architectural plans for desert kites. These kites are large stone structures built in deserts, believed to have been used for trapping and hunting animals thousands of years ago.

Discovery of the Engravings

The engravings were found in a remote area of the Nafud Desert in Saudi Arabia. A team of archaeologists from the University of Western Australia stumbled upon the ancient rock art while conducting a survey in the region. The intricate engravings depict detailed plans and layouts of several desert kites, along with accompanying figures of animals and hunters.

The researchers were astounded by the precision and accuracy of the engravings. The scaled plans show the intricate details of the desert kites, including their size, shape, and dimensions. This level of detail suggests that the ancient hunters had a sophisticated understanding of engineering and architecture.

Understanding Desert Kites

Desert kites are large stone structures shaped like triangles or trapezoids, with walls made of low stone walls or lines of rocks. They were designed to funnel animals into a trap, where they could be easily hunted by the ancient people. The hunters would strategically position themselves at the apex of the kite, from where they could strike down the trapped animals.

These structures are believed to have been used by early humans as far back as 5,000 years ago. They are found in several regions of the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa, indicating that they were an important part of ancient hunting strategies in these areas.

Possibilities and Implications

The discovery of these engraved plans opens up a world of possibilities for archaeologists and historians. The detailed engravings provide valuable insights into the thought process and planning strategies of the ancient hunters. It reveals their understanding of animal behavior, as well as their ability to design and construct complex structures.

Furthermore, the discovery challenges existing theories about the development of architecture and engineering in ancient civilizations. Previously, it was believed that scaled architectural plans were a relatively recent innovation. However, these engravings suggest that such practices were already in use thousands of years ago.

The engravings found in the Nafud Desert could be the oldest scaled architectural plans for desert kites ever discovered. They provide valuable insights into the hunting strategies and engineering skills of ancient civilizations in the Arabian Peninsula. The discovery challenges our understanding of the development of architecture and engineering, showing that these practices were more advanced than previously thought. Future research and excavation in the region may further unravel the mysteries of the desert kites and the ancient people who built them.