4,000-Year-Old Cheetah Mummies Discovered in Saudi Arabian Desert Caves

• Scientists found seven complete mummified cheetahs and dozens of skeletal remains in desert caves near Arar, Saudi Arabia.
• Radiocarbon dating indicates some cheetahs lived 2,000 to 4,000 years ago, with others as recent as a century.
• The mummies were naturally preserved by dry desert air and stable temperatures, with some retaining soft tissue.
• Genetic analysis links these ancient cheetahs to modern Asiatic and northwest African cheetahs, revealing historical diversity and distribution.
• This discovery provides crucial genetic data for modern conservation efforts and revises understanding of cheetah historical ranges in Arabia.

Why It Matters: Ancient cheetah mummies in Saudi Arabia offer vital insights into their history, genetics, and conservation.