The nature of settlement in eastern Arabia During prehistoric Ages

Abstract

This research investigated the nature of the settlement in the eastern Arabian Peninsula in the prehistoric ages. The research aimed at identifying the extent of the impact of the climatic changes that the Arabian Peninsula in general and the eastern region of the peninsula in particular experienced during that stage that coincides with the Quaternary geological age. It also aimedat identifyingthe extent of such impact on human settlement and his stability and on the emergence and development of settlements and houses. Significance of this research lies in the fact that itinvestigates the most important historical stage in which man lived، which was the longest period before the emergence of the historical ages. The research found that the oldest emergence of settlements in the Eastern Arabian Peninsula goes back to the Neolithic، represented by what was known as the slave settlements that were located on the coastal areas. The settlements of the second millennium BC were distinguished by the high quality of their architectural and engineering planning. The houses were developed and diversified and appeared in different residential shapes and units. The research also investigated the most important economic activities practiced by man in that stage، and the diversity of those activities، represented in grazing، agriculture، industries، and fishing، especially pearl fishing، which was one of the most prominent economic resources in ancient prehistoric ages، the oldest of which dates back to the sixth millennium BC.