Burials that Rewrite the Ancient History of the Arabian Peninsula: "Al-Mustatel and Keyhole Burials as a Model"

The exploration and analysis of burial sites have identified key areas of significance, including AlUla, the town of Muqiq on Mount Al-Abd in Hamil, the Khaybar Harrah region, and Mount Arnaan in Hail. Over a period of five years, through repeated visits to various locations within the KSA, we traversed valleys, mountains, and volcanic hotspots to document an impressive array of stone structures. Our observations led us to conclude that it is improbable for ordinary individuals to have constructed hundreds of thousands of personal or collective burials using massive stones and meticulous designs on mountain summits without the advantages of a luxurious lifestyle and a favorable climate. Given the diversity in burial styles and shapes, this study focuses on two specific types: the Al-Mustatel (rectangular burial) pattern and the keyhole burial pattern. We analyzed and examined the nature of each pattern independently, elucidating their significance and interconnections through interpretative frameworks. These burials are predominantly located in highland regions, adorning the summits and slopes of mountains across multiple volcanic fields (Harrat) in north, south, east, and west of the kingdom. This study aims to shed light on the architectural nature of these tombs and their intended purposes, with the hope of reaching a convincing conclusion. We have re-analyzed and traced the design of these tombs, linking them to the pictorial forms of the earliest known pictorial writing from southern Mesopotamia by the Sumerians. Remarkably, the interpretations of the symbols’ forms and meanings were largely consistent in terms of purpose and design.