This 3-foot-tall sandstone stela, discovered near the desert town of Ha’il in northern Saudi Arabia and dating to the fourth millennium B.C.E., depicts the stylized features of a man, possibly a warrior. The outlines of the figure’s head, shoulders and body have been reduced to simple blockish but artistic forms. Carved in relief, the man’s eyes, nose and the curving outline of his face and chin are carefully defined. Below is the collar of his garment, and across his chest are two straps leading down to a belt. Tucked neatly inside the belt is a weapon, possibly a split-blade […]
