Credit: Olivier Barge, CNRS. CC-BY 4.0
In a recent publication in the journal PLOS ONE, scientists have unveiled the earliest known scale plans of massive human-made mega structures. These intricate engravings, estimated to be between 7,000 and 8,000 years old, depict desert kites—enormous constructions utilized for animal trapping. The ability to represent expansive spaces on a small, two-dimensional surface signifies a remarkable advancement in intellectual capabilities, enhancing our understanding of the conceptualization and construction of these kites.
The existence of desert kites was first identified by aerial observations in the 1920s. These sophisticated archaeological structures consist of walls that stretch up to 5 kilometers long, converging into an enclosure with bordered pits to ensnare animals. While these structures can only be fully comprehended from the air, their representation necessitates a method of spatial visualization previously unseen during that era.
Rémy Crassard from CNRS, Université Lyon, along with colleagues, have reported the discovery of two engravings representing kites in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. In Jordan’s Jibal al-Khasabiyeh region, eight kites were found, accompanied by a stone engraved with representation measuring 80 cm long and 32 cm wide, dating back approximately 7,000 years. In Saudi Arabia’s Zebel az-Zilliyat, two pairs of visible kites were identified, positioned 3.5 kilometers apart. An impressive and to-scale engraving measuring 382 cm long and 235 cm wide was excavated, with the depiction reportedly made through pecking, possibly using hand picks. This engraving was dated to around 8,000 years ago.
The existence of such plans indicates that the constructors required them due to the difficulty of comprehending the entire layout without an aerial view. Prior to this discovery, evidence of plans for large structures was limited to rough representations, making these newly found designs exceptionally precise.
While human constructions have shaped natural environments for thousands of years, few plans or maps predate the era of literate civilizations such as Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt. Therefore, these examples represent the oldest known scale plans in human history.
The authors of the study state, “Our study reports the oldest known plans to scale in human history, discovered in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Dated between 8,000 and 9,000 years old, these engravings depict nearby desert kites, colossal structures constructed by humans for the purpose of trapping wild animals. Although human constructions have modified natural spaces for millennia, few plans or maps predate the period of the literate civilizations of Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt. The ability to represent vast spaces on a small, two-dimensional surface represents a significant milestone in intellectual behavior. These structures can only be observed in their entirety from the air, yet their representation demands a spatial visualization method not previously observed.”
Reference: “The oldest plans to scale of humanmade mega-structures” by Rémy Crassard, Wael Abu-Azizeh, Olivier Barge, Jacques Élie Brochier, Frank Preusser, Hamida Seba, Abd Errahmane Kiouche, Emmanuelle Régagnon, Juan Antonio Sánchez Priego, Thamer Almalki and Mohammad Tarawneh, 17 May 2023, PLOS ONE.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277927
The South-Eastern Badia Archaeological Project (SEBAP; research at Jibal al-Khashabiyeh) is funded by grants from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University (project No. 164/2016) and the CNRS National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (WAA, MT). The GLOBALKITES project (research at Jebel az-Zilliyat) was funded by a French National Research Agency grant ANR-12-JSH3-0004-01 (RC). The Dumat al-Jandal archaeological project (research at Jebel az-Zilliyat) was funded by grants from the Saudi Heritage Commission, the French and Italian Ministries of Foreign Affairs, CNRS UMR-8167 Orient & Méditerranée, the University L’Orientale of Naples (Guillaume Charloux and Romolo Loreto). Graph modeling studies were funded by IXXI, Institut rhônalpin des systèmes complexes, Lyon, France (HS). Publication costs were funded by UMR 5133, Archéorient (RC). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about desert kites
What are desert kites?
Desert kites are enormous man-made structures used for animal trapping. They consist of walls converging into an enclosure with bordered pits.
How old are the discovered scale plans of desert kites?
The scale plans of desert kites are estimated to be between 7,000 and 8,000 years old, making them the oldest known plans of human-made mega structures.
How were these scale plans discovered?
The scale plans were discovered through engravings found in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Aerial observations in the 1920s first identified the existence of these structures.
What is the significance of these scale plans?
The ability to represent vast spaces on a small, two-dimensional surface showcased a significant leap in intellectual behavior and expanded our understanding of the conceptualization and construction of these kites.
Can the full layout of desert kites be understood without an aerial view?
No, the entire layout of desert kites can only be comprehended from the air. The discovery of these scale plans suggests that constructors required them to visualize the structures accurately.
Are there any previous examples of scale plans for large structures?
Prior to the discovery of these scale plans, evidence for plans or maps of large structures was limited to rough representations. These newly found designs are exceptionally precise and the oldest known in human history.
More about desert kites
- PLOS ONE – The oldest plans to scale of humanmade mega-structures
- CNRS – Desert Kites in Jordan
- CNRS – Desert Kites in Saudi Arabia
- Wikipedia – Desert Kites
- Archaeology Magazine – Ancient Desert Kites
2 comments
these scale plans are like the oldest ever! such precise designs for mega structures before written civilizations. impressive stuff!
desert kites are so cool! the ability to represent big spaces on a small surface is a big leap in thinking. i wanna see them from the air!