Wearing a helmet fitted with a headlamp and a protective mask, molecular biologist Raúl da Silva Armando Chomela moves through the confined, low-light interiors of cave systems in central Mozambique, examining bat populations and their byproducts as part of a broader scientific effort to understand subterranean ecosystems.

Chomela, originally from the port city of Beira, has spent two years conducting research inside caves located in and around Gorongosa National Park, a 4,000 square kilometre conservation area recognized for its biodiversity.

His work focuses on bats and guano, a substance formed from accumulated bird and bat excrement that serves as a complex biological environment.“Guano is far more than just bat droppings,” Chomela said in an interview, describing it as a dynamic ecosystem.

According to his observations, guano supports a wide range of cave-dwelling organisms, including beetles, amphibians and microorganisms that have adapted to life in conditions without sunlight.

The caves in Gorongosa represent highly specialized environments. Organisms found within them have evolved to survive in stable, low-light conditions with distinct microbiomes that differ significantly from surface ecosystems.

These systems are characterized by limited external input and reliance on internal nutrient cycles, often driven by organic deposits such as guano.Chomela’s research involves entering narrow passages and descending into enclosed spaces using ropes and ladders, often without full knowledge of the terrain or species present.

According to the park’s science department, the cave networks in the region extend across approximately 183 square kilometres, forming interconnected underground systems.

More than 100 bat species have been identified in Gorongosa, although there is no precise data on how many inhabit these caves. One site, known as Tombo Aphale 5, has been extensively studied and hosts an estimated population of over 10,000 bats.

The cave is also the site of an active archaeological excavation, indicating its broader scientific relevance beyond ecological research.Gorongosa National Park was established in 1960 during Portuguese colonial administration.

Following Mozambique’s independence in 1975, conservation was not prioritized under the ruling Frelimo party. Two years later, the park became a strategic location during the country’s civil war, which involved government forces and the insurgent group Renamo.

Renamo, initially formed with support from the Rhodesian government under Ian Smith and later backed by apartheid-era South Africa, operated within the park’s terrain. During the conflict, armed groups relied on wildlife for sustenance, leading to widespread depletion of animal populations.

By the end of the war, which lasted more than 15 years, approximately 95% of the park’s wildlife had been lost, including nearly all of its estimated 5,500 hippos.The effects of the conflict extended beyond environmental damage.

Local communities experienced forced recruitment and other human rights abuses during the war, contributing to long-term social and economic challenges in the region.

In the decades since the conflict ended, Gorongosa has become the focus of sustained conservation and restoration efforts. These initiatives have involved partnerships between international institutions and Mozambican researchers, aiming to rebuild ecosystems and support local development.

One such initiative is the Paleo-Primate Project, established in 2018 as a collaboration between the University of Oxford and Gorongosa National Park. The project is led by Susana Carvalho and integrates research in archaeology, ecology and geology.

It also provides training and employment opportunities for local researchers and students.Carvalho said the broader Gorongosa Restoration Project has become a significant employer in the region, contributing to economic stability.

The project supports scientific research while also engaging local communities in conservation efforts.Chomela joined Gorongosa’s biodiversity laboratory in 2022 before becoming part of the Paleo-Primate Project in 2025.

His research spans multiple disciplines, including the use of environmental DNA to reconstruct historical ecosystems and metabarcoding techniques to analyze genetic material from bats and primates.

He is currently a first-year doctoral student at the University of Porto in Portugal, with his research based at the EO Wilson Laboratory in Chitengo, located within the park. In addition to his academic work, he leads the genetics laboratory at the facility, contributing to ongoing studies of biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics.

Chomela has also raised concerns about the potential overexploitation of guano resources. While the material is valued for its agricultural and economic uses, he noted that excessive harvesting could alter the composition of cave ecosystems.

“When they see the guano, they see money,” he said, adding that unsustainable extraction could disrupt the balance of species that depend on it.He emphasized the importance of building a scientific foundation to inform conservation practices and community engagement.

“We want a scientific base to convince the community,” he said, referring to efforts to align local economic interests with environmental sustainability.

The integration of scientific research, conservation policy and community involvement remains central to ongoing work in Gorongosa, as researchers continue to document and restore one of Africa’s most ecologically significant regions.

Up to 60 international missions would typically be active at Iraqi excavation sites, but all have now left the country, according to a government official in Baghdad, halting work on some of the world’s oldest known civilizations.

German archaeologist Adelheid Otto of the University of Munich said her team had begun work at the ancient city of Shuruppak, modern-day Tell Fara, on Feb. 28, the day the conflict started. The group initially continued operations despite nearby rocket and drone activity.

However, Iraqi authorities later advised them to leave, cutting short research that had already yielded discoveries including ancient cuneiform tablets.

Otto described the interruption as a significant setback to ongoing work.At the site of Nippur, a 6,000-year-old city, University of Chicago professor Augusta McMahon said her team departed on March 10 under pressure to evacuate amid escalating security concerns.

The eight-member team was escorted out of the area by Iraqi officials.McMahon said the evacuation marked her third withdrawal from the region in recent years, following earlier disruptions in Iraq in 2024 and Syria in 2011.

She noted the impact on both international researchers and Iraqi colleagues, whose work depends heavily on sustained field access.

The suspension of excavations leaves key heritage sites, including those linked to early Mesopotamian civilizations, without active international collaboration as security conditions remain uncertain.

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla brings the rich heritage of the North Arabian kingdoms to China, showcasing rare artifacts and shared legacies with Henan’s ancient civilizations.

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla has unveiled a landmark exhibition in China, celebrating the vibrant history of the ancient North Arabian kingdoms and their enduring influence on regional and global heritage.

Held at the Shang Dynasty Capital Site Museum in Henan province until January 5, the exhibition, “Glimpses of the Ancient North Arabian Kingdoms,” forms part of the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year. It is jointly curated by the commission and the museum, reflecting a growing commitment to international cultural collaboration.

Visitors are invited to explore the civilizations of Dadan, Lihyan, and Nabataea, which once controlled vital caravan routes linking Arabia with Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean. Centered around AlUla, these kingdoms left behind temples, tombs, inscriptions, and exquisite artworks that now offer insight into ancient trade, religion, and daily life.

The exhibition features more than 30 rare objects from AlUla, including 15 artifacts on public display for the first time. Highlights include a finely carved sandstone statue of a Lihyanite ruler from Dadan dating between the fifth and third centuries B.C., votive figurine fragments left by pilgrims at Umm Daraj and Jabal Dadan, and a remarkable 2,000-year-old Nabataean silk fragment from a monumental tomb. A silver “sela” coin from Petra, depicting Nabataean King Aretas IV and Queen Huldu, underscores the region’s rich economic and artistic heritage.

Complementing the Arabian collection, the exhibition also features 10 Chinese artifacts, including camel figurines, incense burners, and cosmetic items. These items draw meaningful parallels between AlUla and Henan, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, emphasizing shared legacies in trade, writing, and cultural exchange that date back to the first millennium B.C.

Although direct contact between the North Arabian kingdoms and ancient Chinese dynasties has not been definitively documented, organizers highlight that the exhibition provides a unique opportunity to explore interconnected histories of two civilizations that flourished at global crossroads.

“The exhibition allows visitors to appreciate how AlUla’s ancient kingdoms not only shaped Arabia’s cultural landscape but also contributed to a broader story of international exchange,” said a spokesperson for the Royal Commission for AlUla. “By sharing these treasures in China, we celebrate centuries of innovation, trade, and artistic achievement that resonate across cultures today.”

The exhibition has already attracted wide interest from historians, art enthusiasts, and the general public, offering an immersive journey through ancient societies that once bridged continents. Interactive displays and detailed storytelling bring the objects to life, providing educational insights for both adults and students.

Through initiatives like this, Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen cultural ties with China and other nations, showcasing its commitment to preserving and sharing heritage on a global stage. AlUla’s ancient kingdoms, long celebrated for their strategic significance and artistic mastery, are now inspiring new generations worldwide.

As the exhibition continues through early 2026, it stands as a testament to the enduring value of cultural exchange, fostering appreciation for the rich histories that connect distant lands and peoples across time.