84

That site has the appearance of being a barren and inhospitable landscape, seen as isolated from the rest of the world except for a few notable sites such as Dedan and Hegra, however archaeological evidence such as the mustatils demonstrate that the region had a rich history. and complex. Having such a widely dispersed structure over such a large area suggests a shared belief system, language and culture on a scale I personally never imagined possible," adds Thomas.

Some of the mustatils weigh up to 12,000 tons; more than the Eiffel Tower. Its construction would have required knowledge, skill and organization over long periods of time. "Mustatil suggests great social networks, innovative architectural skills and vast exploration into prehistoric Arabia," notes Almushawh.

Despite these exciting discoveries, knowledge about mustatils is still incipient, with only five of the 1,600 excavated so far. The only certainty is that AlUla will continue to reveal its mysteries.