COPENHAGEN, Denmark, June 20 (UPI) -- A prehistoric settlement in what is now Qatar could bear out different theories on emigration patterns from Africa, Danish archaeologists said.

Danish archaeologists report discovering a settlement they believe may be more 700,000 years old, The Copenhagen Post said.

Eight dwellings in the desert region of Qatar indicate that an early human species crossed what is now the Red Sea to leave Africa, the scientists said. The scientific community is uncertain about the routes early humans used to leave the continent.

The archaeologists said they only tentatively dated their find, having estimated the age from the types of artifacts -- such as axes and knives -- found at the site.

Other dating tests are necessary to confirm the estimates but the archaeologists said carbon-dating would be accurate only if organic material is found.