First results from the mustatils of the Harrat Khaybar: New insights into neolithic cult in Northwest Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

In 2023, the University of Sydney, in partnership with the Heritage Commission undertook research at a large mustatil site to the southeast of Al-Thamad on the Harrat Khaybar, Saudi Arabia. This site is marked by a concentration of 28 mustatils, as well as a series of other monumental stone-built features, dating from the Neolithic onwards. These are the first mustatils to be investigated on the Harrat Khaybar, where more than 400 have been identified. During fieldwork, all mustatils at the site were documented, with test excavations conducted in three structures. Dateable surface material was also obtained from several other mustatils at the site. The results of these test excavations and surface sampling sheds new light on and gives important insight into the mustatil tradition. Based on this dataset, and the comparative material available from AlUla County, it would appear that the mustatil tradition may have been a cohesive ritual concept extending across a large part of Saudi Arabia, potentially making it one of the earliest, widespread ritual traditions known to date.