The stone formation resembling a “giant hand” on the mountainside was first documented between 2021 and 2022 by a local survey team conducting stratigraphic measurements in a semi-arid region of the Middle East. The discovery site lies within a dry valley whose geological layers date back 6–12 million years, formed during the late Miocene to early Pliocene—a period marked by intense volcanic activity and tectonic uplift. The interaction between silicified sedimentary layers and ancient basalt created ideal conditions for unusual erosional shapes to emerge over vast timescales under the influence of wind, temperature fluctuations, and mechanical weathering.
Detailed observation shows that the finger-like projections consist of alternating bands of sedimentary stone and weathered basalt, with the darker central mᴀss—resembling the “palm”—likely being ancient basalt and the lighter sections representing limestone. The vertical columns strongly resemble natural basalt colonnades formed through cooling contraction of lava. Yet the slight curvature of the “fingers” and their convergence into a central core introduce an uncommon morphological pattern, prompting archaeologists to question whether human involvement may once have played a subtle part.
Archaeological interpretations currently revolve around three hypotheses. The first views the structure as a purely natural formation that coincidentally mimics a biological organ, much like formations found in Cappadocia or the Atacama Desert. The second considers the possibility of prehistoric modification for ritual purposes, given the prevalence of hand symbols—such as the Hamsa—throughout Middle Eastern spiritual traditions. A more pragmatic hypothesis suggests that it may once have served as a navigational landmark for nomadic groups traveling across vast arid terrain. However, all three possibilities require additional excavation, material analysis, and contextual evidence before reaching a definitive conclusion.
The discovering team, known as the Desert Strata Survey Initiative (DSSI), consists of independent geologists, archaeology students, and geomorphology researchers who documented the structure through pH๏τography, stratigraphic mapping, and stability ᴀssessment. They did not excavate the site but submitted a detailed report recommending that the formation be designated a geomorphological feature of regional significance. Their observations suggest that the structure’s long-term stability reflects a unique erosional process that remains only partially understood.
Current conclusions favor the interpretation that the “stone hand” is a naturally sculpted formation shaped by millions of years of complex weathering. Yet its remarkably lifelike appearance prevents researchers from entirely dismissing the possibility of ancient human interaction, however minimal. Future isotopic testing, microstructural analysis, and expanded regional surveys may ultimately clarify whether this formation is merely an extraordinary geological coincidence or a forgotten archaeological symbol shaped, in part, by human hands.
