In the Saudi Arabian desert, archaeologists have uncovered signs of life in a lava tube located beneath a basaltic plateau. This 1.5-kilometer-long lava tube, known as Umm Jirsan, has yielded animal bones, stone tools, and pottery dating back 7,000-10,000 years. The discovery sheds 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.
The 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 in the lava tube, researchers aim to piece together the history of human occupation in the region and the interactions between humans and the environment over thousands of years.
Meanwhile, on another planet, scientists are considering using lava tubes as potential living spaces for astronauts due to their protection from cosmic radiation and more manageable temperatures. In the 2030s, a US base on the moon is set to be completed, with China also building its own base. Lava tubes on the moon’s mountains are being studied as possible habitats for astronauts due to their ability to provide shelter from extreme conditions.