A hand ax has been unearthed at the Qurh site in AlUla Governorate, dating back to the Paleolithic Age, surpassing 200,000 years in age

The discovery of a hand axe that dates to the Palaeolithic era and is older than 200,000 years was made public by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) at the Qurh site in the AlUla Governorate. This sturdy instrument, 51.3 cm long and made of soft basalt stone, has features typical of a cutting or chopping knife. Current research endeavours to accurately determine the tool's intended use. One of the most important metropolitan locations on the Arabian Peninsula, Qurh is a historically significant place dating back to the early Islamic eras and is home to many historical artefacts and mysteries.

A group of archaeologists from the heritage consulting firm TEOS Heritage are credited with finding this antique instrument. The crew had already found several early Islamic-era artefacts while on assignment to search the area around Qurh, south of AlUla, for signs of prehistoric human presence. On the other hand, the discovery of the hand axe is celebrated as a turning point in human history, both inside and outside of the Arabian Peninsula.

As part of its dedication to solving the riddles of the past, RCU now manages 11 specialised archaeological projects in AlUla and Khyber. These projects are part of the commission's overall development strategy for AlUla, which aims to establish the city as a top global destination for natural and cultural assets.