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Green Arabia Hypothesis
Context
Recent findings published in Nature reveal that mineral deposits (speleothems) from caves in central Saudi Arabia support the "Green Arabia" hypothesis — that the now-arid Arabian Peninsula experienced periodic humid phases over the last 8 million years. These wet phases could have supported plant and animal life and enabled early human migrations out of Africa.
Green Arabia Hypothesis:
- Suggests the Arabian Peninsula, currently one of the driest regions, experienced periodic wet and verdant phases due to fluctuating climate over the last 8 million years.
- Supported by speleothem (cave mineral) deposits in central Saudi Arabia that require consistent humidity and vegetation to form.
Significance for Human Evolution and Migration:
- The region, often considered a biogeographical barrier, may have served as a corridor for hominin and faunal migrations between Africa and Eurasia.
- Fossil and archaeological evidence (e.g., from the Jubbah Oasis) indicates presence of water-dependent species like crocodiles and hippos as recently as 74,000 years ago.
Speleothems as Paleoclimate Indicators:
- Formed from mineral-rich water droplets in caves under humid conditions.
- Accurately dated using Uranium-Thorium and Uranium-Lead Radiometric Dating
- Serve as archives of paleo-humidity, vegetation, and rainfall.
Paleoenvironmental Timelines Identified:
- Key humid phases were recorded between:
- 44 million – 6.25 million years ago
- 530,000 – 60,000 years ago
- These periods coincide with times of human expansion and could have supported intercontinental movement and biogeographic exchanges.
Interdisciplinary Research Importance:
- Supported by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture and international researchers.
- Enhances understanding of how climate variability has historically influenced human settlement patterns and biodiversity distribution.
Contemporary Relevance:
- Offers insights into long-term climate resilience and adaptation.
- Helps contextualize current climate change in the framework of Earth's climatic history and potential future migration patterns.
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