"Men have looked upon the desert as barren land, the free holding of whoever chose; but in fact each hill and valley in it had a man who was its acknowledged owner and would quickly assert the right of his family or clan to it, against aggression"

T. E. Lawrence, often known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a British archaeologist, military officer, and diplomat who played a significant function in the Arab Revolt throughout World War I. His deep understanding of the Middle Eastern cultures and landscapes is reflected in this quote.

The declaration challenges a common misconception about deserts and relatively uninhabited lands. At first glimpse, outsiders, particularly those not familiar with the life in arid regions, perceive these landscapes as barren and without ownership. The phrase "free holding of whoever chose" highlights the idea that deserts are often seen as open, unclaimed areas where anybody can establish dominion. Nevertheless, Lawrence refutes this point of view by recommending that deserts, like any other lands, are abundant with their own socio-cultural histories and structures of ownership.

"Each hill and valley ... had a male who was its recognized owner" stresses the idea that these regions are not as empty as they appear; rather, they possess a complicated system of standard and familial claims. The recommendation to "a male" can be analyzed as a patriarch or leader who represents the ownership rights of a specific household or clan, highlighting the common and ancestral nature of land ownership in tribal societies.

The expression "quickly assert the right of his household or clan to it, versus aggression" highlights the readiness and determination with which these neighborhoods are willing to protect their territorial rights. This reveals a strong, intrinsic sense of attachment and belonging that these people and their neighborhoods feel for their land.

In general, Lawrence's observation underscores the requirement for a much deeper understanding and respect for the socio-cultural dynamics in different regions. It alerts versus ignoring the complex relationships between individuals and their environment, specifically in regions that might ostensibly appear uninhabited or unclaimed to those not familiar with the local culture.