The large number of artefacts revealed during excavations include stone and

bronze tools, pottery vessels, votive objects and examples of the constructional
technique of mud-brick and stone structures employed at the Salut fortress. Since
2004, an Italian team from Pisa University (IMTO) in cooperation with the Office
of the Adviser to His Majesty for Cultural Affairs has been excavating the site. A
comprehensive programme for conservation, restoration and eventual opening of
the site to the general public has been carried out.

The Bat site and archaeological surveys

The German mission continues with
its surveys and excavation work at the
Bat site in Ibri, in conjunction with a team
of archaeologists from the University of
Pennsylvania, under the supervision of
the Ministry of Heritage and Culture. An
inventory is being drawn up of all the
archaeological features at the site and
excavation work is also being carried
out in the nearby hills. A tomb has been
found, dating from the Umm al Nar
period, as well as two circular structures
dating from the third millennium
BC, found to contain items including
earthenware pots, swords, stone pestles
and cosmetic implements, and – for the
first time – a lump of frankincense. Work
will continue in Bat for at least the next
two years.
● An archaeological survey carried

out by the French mission in the wilayat of

Adam has revealed a number of Bronze
Age sites.
● At the village of Zakait in the wilayat

of Izki the Italian mission has discovered

a site containing settlements dating
from the beginning of the early Bronze
Age overlooking rock caves from the
Hafeet era (3000-2700 BC), where an
earthenware jar from the period was
discovered.The mission’s aim is to study
the condition of the tombs, explore the
buried settlement structures and record their finds on a three-dimensional digital One of a series of
map to assist in the reconstruction of the settlement. beehive tombs at Al Ain,
● The British mission continues its work on the al Hajar Project in the Dakhiliyah with Jebel Misht in the
Region. Most of its activities are centred on Wadi Bahla and Wadi Maleeh and a background
multi-faceted exploration programme that will contribute to a more comprehensive
understanding of the civilizations of the two areas.
● In 2007 an archaeological team from Basel University in Switzerland began a

5-year project surveying the al Huqf and al Duqm areas of the Wusta Region. As at
July 2008 the survey had resulted in the discovery of 791 items, most being stone
tools used for the purpose of fishing. It is hoped that the items discovered in the Al

144 OMAN
Al Baleed’s origins Huqf desert are related to the Stone Age and that they will help in providing more
date from pre-Islamic details about human life in the Pleistocene Age in the south Gulf area.
times. It is one of
UNESCO’s ‘Land of Historic buildings
Frankincense’ listed
The Ministry of Heritage and Culture’s Historic Districts Registration and
sites
Protection Committee, formed in 2006, embarked on a nation-wide survey of
historic buildings and districts at the beginning of 2007; the survey was divided
into five areas.
Results show there were 282 old districts in the Dakhiliyah Region, 261
in Dhofar, 215 in the Batinah Region, 94 in the Sharqiyah Region, 108 in the
Dhahirah Region, 121 in the governorate of Musandam, 11 in Muscat and 36 in
the governorate of Buraimi. The Committee did not record any historic districts or
buildings in the Wusta Region.
The Committee has approved plans for preserving the historic districts and
agreed such sites should be restored as open-air museums and real-life examples
of Oman’s traditional architecture. It will study options for managing the sites
that ensure each retains its original architectural character and will attract tourists
thereby providing employment for the local populations.
Overleaf: Sumharum is
Land of Frankincense sites
a significant settlement
in terms of Dhofar’s In ancient times frankincense from the Sultanate and particularly from the
pre-Islamic era. It Dhofar region was regarded as the very best quality available anywhere in the
lies in the middle world. Oman made fortunes and helped promote cultural contacts between nations
of the frankincense- through the frankincense trade and the sites connected with that trade remain of
producing area exceptional international value.

OMAN 145
 The government attaches great importance to the country’s archaeological and
natural heritage and several of the sites connected to the frankincense trade that
fulfil the criteria of UNESCO’s Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural
and Natural Heritage, have been added to its World Cultural and Natural Heritage
List including Shisr (Wubar), Khor Rori (Sumhuram) Al Baleed Archeological
Park and Wadi Dawkah.
The Office of the Adviser to Sultan Qaboos for Cultural Affairs is currently
engaged in restoring, developing and managing these sites in collaboration with
a number of UNESCO committees, several academic and scientific institutions
and universities with specialist expertise in the investigation, restoration and
maintenance of the cultural and natural heritage. Work on the sites is carried out
according to a seasonal programme.

• Al Baleed
Recent excavations reveal al Baleed’s origins date from pre-Islamic times and that
it was a major population centre around 2000 years BC. It was a city of considerable
importance during the late Iron Age and flourished during the Islamic periods.
Like other coastal centres in Oman such as Sohar and Qalhat, al Baleed was a
port city on the southeastern shore of the Arabian Peninsula.
To encourage cultural tourism a park has been established on the site, together
with the Museum of the Land of Frankincense, which comprises two halls: a
History Hall presenting a brief history of Oman depicting its cultural heritage over
the ages; and a Maritime Hall containing models of Omani ships and other exhibits
highlighting the country’s relationship with the sea. In addition to a multi-media
room, the museum boasts a number of curio and handicraft shops, staffed and
managed in co-operation with the Public Authority for Craft Industries. Other
features include an example of an old Baleed house, a viewing tower, a platform
for watching birds in Khor al Baleed lagoon and neighbouring lagoons, small
boats for children and trips around the Khor, footpaths along its northern shore, a
nursery for frankincense seedlings and a botanical garden containing examples of
the trees and plants of the mountains of Dhofar.
A bridge spans the Khor al Baleed lagoon, providing access to the archaeological
site and a model of Wadi Dawkah has been installed in the Park. In 2007 the
Museum received 35,019 visitors.

• Khor Rori (Sumhuram)

The Khor Rori (Sumhuram) site has a main gateway, perimeter fence, access
footpaths, descriptive panels and a café and picnic area.The ancient city of
Sumhuram was built in the Khor Rori area between the end of the fourth century
BC and the fifth century AD and is the most significant settlement in terms of
Dhofar’s pre-Islamic era. It lies in the middle of the frankincense-producing area.
Excavations show that Sumhuram was prosperous and well defended. It was
an Arab city of major importance enjoying extensive maritime links with the
Mediterranean region, India, the Gulf and the rest of the Arabian Peninsula.

• Shisr (Wubar)
Excavations at the Shisr (Wubar) site have revealed numerous traces of human
settlements dating from the Iron Age and the Islamic period, as well as evidence
frankincense was produced and traded there. It is believed frankincense was
transported through the area to the southern side of the Empty Quarter or northwards
to the oasis of Yabrin. Within its citadel are the ruins of an administrative building,

148 OMAN
Excavations at Wubar as well as the remains of a main gateway, some round and square towers and a
indicate human number of chambers. A plan has been drawn up to develop the site and establish it
settlements dating as a major tourist attraction.
from the Iron Age
• Frankincense in Wadi Dawkah
Wadi Dawkah is a typical frankincense-growing area, about 40 kms north of
Salalah, near the main road to Thumrait. Around 5,000 trees are currently being
cultivated in the nursery there which, when transplanted, will help restore natural
balance to areas of the wadi where tree numbers have been reduced as a result of
environmental damage. Part of the wadi will be a designated reserve; measures are
already in place to protect it. To ensure that frankincense trees continue to grow in
their natural environment, some 3,000 new trees have already been planted and the
mature, established trees of the area are being carefully tended and protected.

Restoring the forts and castles

The Ministry of Heritage and Culture restores, maintains, studies and
documents ancient buildings in order that they may be identified and preserved for
posterity. In 2007 restoration work was completed on al Aija Fort in Sur, Bait al
Yahmedi in Ibra, al Thermad Fort in the wilayat of al Suwaiq, the al Maghabisha
Wall and the fort of Saham on the Batinah coast, as well as Bukha and Daba in the
Musandam.

• Bahla Fort
Bahla Fort’s casbah is currently being extensively restored. This imposing
citadel, which stands on the top of a rocky mound in the middle of an oasis of date

OMAN 149