(Maria Guagnin via SWNS)

By Stephen Beech

A 12,000-year-old cave engraving of a camel was one of the first "road signs" to a desert oasis, according to new research.

The role of the ancient rock art, found in present-day Saudi Arabia, was identified by an international research team, including archaeologists from University College London (UCL).

The team discovered more than 60 rock art panels containing 176 engravings in three previously unexplored areas – Jebel Arnaan, Jebel Mleiha, and Jebel Misma – along the southern edge of the Nefud Desert in northern Saudi Arabia.

The engravings - mainly depicting camels , ibex, equids, gazelles, and aurochs - include 130 life-sized and naturalistic figures, some measuring up to three meters (9.8ft) long and more than two meters (6.5ft) h

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