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Ancient Arabia: First Evidence of Shark Meat Consumption

2/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A study published in Antiquity shows southern Arabia consumed shark meat, based on isotope analysis of remains from a 5th millennium B.C. tomb in Wadi Nafun, Oman.
Archaeologists have worked at Wadi Nafun since 2020.
The findings show shark meat was a significant food source and that the study documents the first specialized hunting of marine predators in prehistoric Arabia, with Wadi Nafun serving as a ritual site.

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Story summary

A study published in Antiquity shows southern Arabia consumed shark meat, based on isotope analysis of remains from a 5th millennium B.C. tomb in Wadi Nafun, Oman.
Archaeologists have worked at Wadi Nafun since 2020.
The findings show shark meat was a significant food source and that the study documents the first specialized hunting of marine predators in prehistoric Arabia, with Wadi Nafun serving as a ritual site.