Oldest human fingerprint discovered in Kuwait - NCCAL

KUWAIT, Nov 18 (KUNA) -- A joint team of excavators discovered a 7,300 years old human fingerprint - the earliest in the Near East region, in Al-Sabiyya area, north Kuwait.
The fingerprint was found on a piece of broken clay pot dating from the Stone Age (from 8,700 BC. to 2,000 BC.) in Bahrah I Excavation Zone in Al-Sabiyya, an official from the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) announced on Friday.
"The find adds to a list of important discoveries recently excavated in the area; these include an ancient town, a temple, a cemetery, wells and pottery which provide important clues as to the life of primitive man," said Dr. Sultan Al-Duweesh, director of NCCAL's archaeological and museums dept.
"The team of excavators is made up of 17 archaeologists, including 11 Polish, five Kuwaitis from NCCAL and a US scholar," Dr. Al-Duweesh pointed out.
He added that NCCAL is in consultation with the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to add Bahrah I Excavation Zone to the World Heritage List given its universal value, and unique and exceptional significance to human civilization.
"A UNESCO team, led by Dr. Mohammad Bu-Zyan, visited the site as part of efforts to list it as a world heritage site," Dr. Al-Duweesh said.
NCCAL pursues a careful plan as to archeological excavations and survey of the area which bears the promise of providing a clearer insight into human live in the Stone Age, he added. (end) shd.gb