In the heart of the vast Arabian Desert, beneath an endless, star-studded sky, lie ancient secrets. Secrets that transcend the sands of time, whispering of bygone civilizations, skilled astronomers, and unique natural observatories. Could these ancient “cosmic eyes,” as we call them, have shaped their worldview, their architecture, and even their destiny? Our journey begins here, in the quest for answers within the heart of the rocks, amidst the folds of legends, and in the depths of ancient astronomical knowledge. The sky has always been a source of inspiration and awe for all of humanity. But for the ancient civilizations of the Middle East, the sky was more than just a landscape. It was a roadmap, an agricultural calendar, and a repository of divine secrets. In the absence of modern telescopes, how did they manage to decipher this vast universe? The answer may lie in unexpected places – in natural geological formations, in deep caves, and on towering peaks. Places that served as natural cosmic eyes, magnifying light, guiding vision, and revealing details that would not have been visible to the naked eye. Consider the AlUla region in Saudi Arabia. Here, among the sandstone rocks sculpted by the wind, lies Madain Saleh, the ancient Nabataean city. But what interests us is not only the splendor of this city carved into the rock, but also its strategic location among natural rock formations. Some studies suggest that the Nabataeans may have used these rock formations to pinpoint the precise locations of stars and planets. By looking through specific openings in the rocks, they could track the movement of celestial bodies with greater accuracy, and use this knowledge to determine planting times, religious celebrations, and even to guide trade caravans across the desert. This aligns with the fact that the Nabataeans excelled in astronomy, linking it to their religion and daily lives. Nabataean inscriptions discovered in Petra and Madain Saleh indicate an advanced knowledge of stars and planets, and their use in determining directions and seasons. But AlUla is not the only place. Throughout the Arabian Peninsula, and in other regions of the Middle East, there are other potential examples of cosmic eyes. In Oman, there are deep caves with narrow openings, possibly used to filter light and magnify celestial images. And in Yemen, there are towering mountain peaks that served as ideal observation points for monitoring the movement of the stars. These natural sites were not just places for observation, but also sacred places, associated with myths and religious beliefs. For the civilizations of the ancient East, the sky was the abode of the gods, and a source of power and inspiration. Here we come to the most controversial point: the potential relationship between these natural cosmic eyes and the construction of massive structures, or so-called megalithic monuments, in the region. Could these massive structures, consisting of giant rocks that were transported and installed with astonishing precision, have served an astronomical function in addition to their symbolic function? Some theories suggest that these structures may have served as huge astronomical markers, identifying the locations of important stars and planets. Or perhaps they served as miniature models of the universe, reflecting the ancient civilizations’ understanding of its structure and organization. Take, for example, the stone rectangles discovered in northwestern Saudi Arabia. These mysterious structures, dating back to the fourth millennium BC, consist of long, low stone walls, forming huge rectangular shapes. The true purpose of these stone rectangles remains a perplexing mystery. But some researchers suggest that they may have been related to religious rituals, or perhaps served as territorial markers. But could they also have an astronomical function? Some studies indicate that the orientations of these rectangles correspond to the locations of sunrise and sunset at specific times of the year. This suggests that they may have been used to determine agricultural seasons, or to celebrate important astronomical events. In addition, some archaeological discoveries in the vicinity of these rectangles indicate the presence of altars and places of worship. This supports the idea that they were sacred places, associated with religious and astronomical beliefs. But linking natural cosmic eyes to megalithic monuments is not easy. The evidence is still scarce, and the interpretations are multiple. More research and archaeological excavation are needed to prove this relationship conclusively. But this does not prevent us from asking questions and exploring possibilities. History is full of examples of ancient civilizations that used astronomy in their daily lives, and in building their civilization. Consider the Egyptian pyramids, which correspond precisely to the locations of the stars in the constellation Orion, or Stonehenge in England, which is believed to have been used to determine the solstices. So why not assume that the civilizations that lived in the Arabian Peninsula did the same? Why not assume that they used natural cosmic eyes to expand their vision of the universe, and used this knowledge to build massive structures that reflect their understanding of the world? Of course, there are those who doubt these theories. There are those who believe that these structures were merely places to live, bury, or worship. And there are those who reject the idea that ancient civilizations possessed advanced astronomical knowledge. But the evidence is accumulating, and supports the idea that ancient civilizations were more intelligent and complex than we think. And that they were able to use the natural resources available to them, including natural cosmic eyes, to understand the universe around them. In fact, we can find similarities between these ancient cosmic eyes and modern telescopes. A telescope, simply, is a tool used to collect light and magnify images. And that is exactly what natural cosmic eyes were doing. Deep caves, with narrow openings, acted as natural lenses, focusing light and removing distortion. And towering mountain peaks provided ideal observation points, free from light pollution and atmospheric interference. Some researchers even suggest that ancient civilizations may have used mirrors and lenses made of crystal or volcanic glass to magnify celestial images. Although there is no conclusive evidence of this, this hypothesis raises interesting questions about their technological capabilities. Could ancient civilizations have possessed more advanced astronomical technologies than we think? Could they have had knowledge of optics and light that we have not yet discovered? To answer these questions, we need more research and excavation. We need to study archaeological sites carefully, analyze astronomical data, and compare the results with ancient myths and religious beliefs. We also need to take advantage of modern technology, such as aerial photography and remote sensing, to identify potential locations of natural cosmic eyes. But most importantly, we need to change the way we think. We need to abandon the idea that ancient civilizations were primitive and undeveloped. We need to recognize their abilities and intelligence, and to respect their cultural heritage. Ancient civilizations were not just victims of natural conditions. Rather, they were active agents, capable of adapting, innovating, and thriving in challenging environments. The search for ancient cosmic eyes is not just an archaeological journey, but also a journey into the depths of ourselves. It is a journey to discover our roots, understand our relationship to the universe, and appreciate the value of knowledge and wisdom. The sky is still full of secrets, and the earth still hides priceless treasures. Let us continue to search, let us continue to learn, and let us continue to explore the unknown. Today, we explored the potential relationship between ancient astronomical knowledge gained through natural observatories and the construction of massive structures in the Arab world, suggesting that these structures may have served as astronomical tools and symbolic representations of cosmic understanding. After all this research and exploration, do you think we will ever be able to decipher all the astronomical mysteries left to us by ancient civilizations? Share your thoughts in the comments.