Abstract Archaeological surveys and excavations in the Jebel Oraf palaeolake basin, north-western Saudi Arabia, have identified a well-preserved early- to mid-Holocene landscape. Two types of occupation site can be distinguished: nine small and ephemeral scatters from single occupation phases on the slopes of sand dunes and three hearth sites indicative of repeated occupation on palaeolake shorelines. In addition, 245 rock art panels, 81 cairns, and 15 stone structures were recorded. This diverse dataset provides an opportunity to reconstruct occupation patterns and changes in landscape use. A particularly important site, Jebel Oraf 2, documents two episodes of lake high stands at ca. 6500 BC and 5300 BC, flooding parts of the locality. Neolithic pastoralists likely occupied the site after the end of the wet season, when the terrain was dry. Earlier sites are located in dune embayments some 7–14 m above the shore of the palaeolake. These locations are consistent with hunting strategies identifiable in the rock art that suggest wildlife was ambushed at watering places. Later rock art at Jebel Oraf also documents the hunting of wild camel in the Iron Age. The lithic industries documented in the Jebel Oraf basin support arguments of repeated contact with Levantine populations.

中文翻译：

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内福德沙漠的全新世湿润期：沙特阿拉伯 Jebel Oraf 古湖盆地的猎人和牧民

摘要 沙特阿拉伯西北部 Jebel Oraf 古湖盆地的考古调查和挖掘已经确定了一个保存完好的早期至中期全新世景观。可以区分两种类型的占领地点：沙丘斜坡上单一占领阶段的九个小的和短暂的散布和三个表明在古湖海岸线上重复占领的炉膛地点。此外，还记录了 245 个岩画面板、81 个石冢和 15 个石结构。这个多样化的数据集提供了一个机会来重建景观利用的占领模式和变化。一个特别重要的站点，Jebel Oraf 2，记录了大约两集湖高台。公元前6500年和公元前5300年，淹没了当地的部分地区。新石器时代的牧民很可能在雨季结束后占领了该地，当时地势干燥。较早的遗址位于古湖岸边约 7-14 m 的沙丘海湾中。这些地点与岩石艺术中可识别的狩猎策略一致，表明野生动物在饮水处遭到伏击。后来在 Jebel Oraf 的岩画也记录了铁器时代对野骆驼的狩猎。Jebel Oraf 盆地中记录的石器工业支持与黎凡特人口反复接触的论点。