In a cave in the Saudi Arabian desert, archaeologists have discovered signs of life in lava tubes, which still provide shelter for nomads. This lava tube, created by flowing lava, has similarities to caves used by our ancestors for shelter.
In the 2030s, a US base on the moon is set to be completed, with China also building its own base. As astronauts prepare for long-term missions on the lunar surface, scientists are considering using lava tubes on the moon’s mountains as potential living spaces due to their protection from cosmic radiation and more manageable temperatures.
The discovery of an ancient lava tube in Saudi Arabia has shed new light on the region’s past when it was not always a dry desert but had lakes and lush vegetation that attracted people and animals from Africa. Despite the harsh desert climate, this 1.5-kilometer-long lava tube remains cooler and protective, serving as a source of shade and water for farmers and shepherds in the area. By studying the artifacts found within this ancient cave, researchers aim to piece together the history of human occupation in the region and how humans interacted with their environment over thousands of years.