in the neolithic period, prominent cultures such as al-magar whose epicenter lay in modern-day southwestern najd flourished. al-magar could be considered as a "neolithic revolution" in human knowledge and handicraft skills. the culture is characterized as being one of the world's first to involve the widespread domestication of animals, particularly the horse, during the neolithic period. aside from horses, animals such as sheep, goats, dogs, in particular of the saluki race, ostriches, falcons and fish were discovered in the form of stone statues and rock engravings. al-magar statues were made from local stone, and it seems that the statues were fixed in a central building that might have had a significant role on the social and religious life of the inhabitants.