Archaeologists find 125,000-year-old poisoned stone tools in Saudi Arabia

Archaeologists discovered stone tools at a 125,000-year-old site in southern Saudi Arabia that may contain traces of poison from a toxic tree.

The site, known as Uruq Aljelibah, is located in the Empty Quarter, a desert region that was once home to a large freshwater lake. This lake supported a variety of animals, including hippopotamuses and buffalo, which early humans likely hunted for food. Researchers identified chemical residues on several stone points that match the arrow poison tree.

This plant is known for its toxins and is native to parts of Africa and southern Arabia. While scientists have not yet proven how people prepared the poison or if it successfully killed animals, the findings suggest that early humans used complex technology to hunt. The tools were found near clusters of animal bones, indicating the lakeshore was a primary location for hunting and processing game.

The discovery shows that early humans in the Arabian Peninsula used sophisticated methods to survive in changing environments. These people combined stone with wood, resins, and fibers to create weapons. Because organic materials rarely survive over such long periods, these finds provide a rare look at the full range of ancient technology. While the tools were found on the surface, the 125,000-year date refers to the age of the lake, meaning the tools could be younger than that maximum age.