Researchers have discovered a 5,000-year-old civilization buried beneath the vast sand dunes of Saudi Arabia’s Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter), the world’s largest continuous desert. The breakthrough was made using artificial intelligence and satellite imagery developed by a team at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, allowing them to detect archaeological structures hidden beneath the sand.
The Saruq Al-Hadid archaeological site, previously known for ancient metalwork, has now been confirmed to contain signs of early human civilization. Dr. Diana Francis, head of Khalifa University’s Environmental and Geophysical Sciences Lab, stated that the new AI-driven method enables researchers to identify and map buried sites across desert regions without requiring extensive ground exploration.
Dubai Culture, the government agency overseeing the site, has announced plans for full-scale excavations in areas pinpointed by AI analysis. The research team believes their technology could revolutionize archaeological discoveries, particularly in desert environments that remain largely unexplored but hold rich historical significance.
Experts hope to expand the study beyond the UAE, applying the machine-learning techniques to other arid regions where ancient civilizations may be buried. As excavation efforts move forward, researchers anticipate uncovering more details about the people who once thrived in this now-hostile environment.
