How did it all begin? Archaeological evidence suggests that Homo sapiens arrived in the Arabian Peninsula before 85,000 BCE, drawn by the savannah-like grasslands that once covered the area. These early hunter-gatherer groups formed some of the first organised communities, surviving through breeding and trading. As early as 6,000 BCE, loose groups of Stone Age and Bronze Age individuals had developed complex trade routes between Arabia, Mesopotamia, and the Indus Valley. They traded primarily in copper from Magan (modern-day Oman) and exchanged goods with the Dilmun Empire (modern-day Bahrain). So, what did they do with all that copper? It seems they spent their wealth on fine glass and indulged in dates, leading to some dental issues. Given the lack of glass polishers and dentists at the time, it seems like a rather extravagant use of resources!