AlUla South Mustatil Cluster
Wadi al-Aqlah Mustatils · Sharaan Mustatil Field
Late Neolithic Arabian mustatil horizon·Northwest Arabian pastoralists·🇸🇦 Medina Province, AlUla County, Saudi Arabia
About
About AlUla South Mustatil Cluster
5 km on the sandstone plain southwest of AlUla, the densest verified mustatil density globally outside Harrat Khaybar fringe. 8-m sandstone slab walls and horn-platform head-cells yielded two in situ C14 dates 5180 and 5050 BCE consistent with Khaybar horizon but 100 km south, proving contiguous regional distribution across 300 km. Faunal deposits at three platforms show horn cores of cattle 80% plus caprine, with cut marks, supporting post-Neolithic domesticated herd feasting interpretation over wild hunt.
3-m upright betyl stone with cupule alignment toward winter solstice sunrise, first astronomical hint for mustatils. AI-mapped wall continuity shows shared 200-m wall segment between two adjacent mustatils, first evidence of inter-mustatil architectural linkage.
Why it mattersDensest known mustatil cluster at 14 in 2.5 km and first betyl solstice alignment; proves mustatil core extends well south of Khaybar to Hegra hinterland.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Betyl astronomical intent vs coincidence
Theories
- 01Solstitial feasting calendar regulating pastoral movement
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.5180-5050 BCE
- Period
- Late Neolithic Arabian mustatil horizon
- Culture
- Northwest Arabian pastoralists
- Builders
- AlUla sandstone plain pastoralists
- Purpose
- Cattle feasting ritual with betyl/solstice observance
- Abandoned
- c.5000 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 2022 RCU-Aerial Archaeology Sharaan survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
5180 BCE
Earliest C14 under platform
5050 BCE
Second platform C14, betyl erection
2022
AI maps 14 mustatils with shared wall
On the ground
Structures & features
26.6500° N · 37.9000° E · 830 m · 2 mapped features
Mustatil Sh-07 Betyl Platform
mustatilPlatform with 1.3-m betyl aligned to winter solstice sunrise
26.6480° N · 37.9020° EShared Wall Segment
earthwork200-m wall serving two adjacent mustatils
26.6510° N · 37.8980° E
Gallery