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Recent excavations in the Adam oasis have provided new data on the evolution of settlement patterns... [cite: 4]

The archaeological site of Al-Baleed (ancient Ẓafar), located in the Dhofar region of southern Oman, is one of the most important Islamic port cities of the Indian Ocean. Since 2021, the University of Naples L’Orientale has been conducting research at the site in collaboration with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, with the aim of understanding of its urban development, economic role, and long-term occupation within the broader framework of Islamic settlement in southern Arabia. As a major hub along the maritime routes of the Indian Ocean, Al-Baleed offers a privileged perspective on long-distance commercial networks linking southern Arabia with other Islamic lands, the Indian subcontinent and China. Archaeological evidence allows the reconstruction of the urban settlement, as well as patterns of exchange, circulation of goods, and economic strategies typical of a medieval port city, highlighting its central role within regional and interregional trade systems. After addressing these broader commercial dynamics, the research has progressively shifted towards the investigation of everyday life practices. Recent excavations have brought to light religious and productive spaces that provide insight into how the city functioned on a daily basis. In particular, contexts related to food preparation and consumption shed light on diet, subsistence strategies, and shared practices within the urban community. These data also open new avenues for exploring social and communal behaviours, including shared meals, coffee drinking, shisha use, and betel chewing, as integral components of daily life in a cosmopolitan port environment. Alongside research activities, the project places strong emphasis on heritage valorisation. One of the main challenges lies in communicating the complexity of Al-Baleed in an effective and meaningful way, capable of conveying both its role within Indian Ocean trade networks and the lived experiences of its inhabitants. Digital documentation, interpretative tools, and narrative strategies are therefore conceived as core components of the project, essential for presenting the site’s history in a coherent and engaging manner.

This paper explores the complex relationship between urban planning and social fabric in traditional Omani neighborhoods, using the Sima neighborhood in the Wilayat of Izki as a case study. The paper draws on a theoretical framework from the sociology of urbanism, utilizing the ideas of Pierre Bourdieu and Anthony Giddens, to analyze how architectural and spatial planning embodies and reproduces social values. The methodology employs descriptive, interpretive, and analytical approaches using primary and secondary sources. The paper concludes that the Sima neighborhood constitutes an integrated socio-spatial system. The clustering of houses and their distribution reflect social hierarchy, while the internal layout of each house organizes family dynamics and gender roles. Central institutions such as the mosque and the market serve to reinforce social cohesion and build social capital. It became clear that urban planning in Sima – through the clustering of dwellings, house design, and the distribution of institutions such as the mosque and the market – was not merely a negative reflection of the social structure, but rather an active tool in shaping social hierarchy and strengthening community cohesion. This paper offers a valuable contribution to understanding local urban models and provides a framework for contemporary restoration and planning projects.

The present study aims to investigate the archaeological site of Manaqi, located in the northern part of Al-Rustaq, and to highlight its significance within the broader context of Wadi al-Far, one of the principal valleys linking the foothills of the Western Hajar Mountains with the coastal plain of northern Oman. Through two excavation seasons conducted in 2024 and 2025, a number of architectural structures were uncovered, varying in both form and function, alongside a rich assemblage of archaeological materials, among which clay figurines and ceramic finds are particularly noteworthy. The importance of the Manaqi site lies in its integration within a wider settlement system extending along Wadi al-Far, encompassing sites such as al-Uqayriyah, al-Mazahit , and ancient Wibil. These sites collectively display architectural and material characteristics typical of the Iron Age II and III. Preliminary evidence suggests that Manaqi occupied a strategic position that enabled it to control the communication routes as well as the agricultural and economic activities connecting the Omani interior with the coast. The study adopts a comparative approach between the recent excavation results at Manaqi and the data previously recorded from neighbouring sites through archaeological surveys, with the aim of understanding spatial distribution, settlement continuity, and the functional relationships among sites within Wadi al-Far.

Bisya (Ad Dakhiliyah, Oman) has long been known as a major Bronze and Iron Ages centre in the Oman peninsula... [cite: 4]

At the end of the fourth millennium BCE, the Omani Peninsula witnessed a significant cultural transformation, marked by the establishment of stable communities known collectively as “Magan.” This civilization maintained extensive trade and cultural relations with the civilizations of Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and Dilmun, highlighting Oman’s prominent role within the ancient exchange network. Archaeological surveys and excavations have revealed multiple sites, among which Bat, Al-Khutm, and Al-Ayn stand out as hosting concentrations of towers and distinctive tombs. The Bat and Al-Khutm sites comprise eight massive stone towers, with Al-Khutm Tower and Al-Rujum Tower being among the best-preserved. This study focuses on the architectural features of each tower while providing a comprehensive assessment of the condition of the aging and fractured stones and associated issues, including cracks, gaps, and erosion. The condition of the aging and fractured stones plays a crucial role in structural stability, as weakened stone cohesion leads to uneven load distribution, undermining the interlocking of the stone layers. For example, on the rear façade of Al-Rujum Tower, stone deterioration and fragmentation resulted in substantial collapses, exposing the internal structure. This demonstrates that stone weakness affects not only the surface but also the overall stability of the towers. The study also highlights advanced architectural techniques, such as the use of variable-sized stone blocks and deep wells for load distribution. Furthermore, the study documents restoration efforts. Al-Rujum Tower was restored long after excavation ended, whereas Al-Khutm Tower underwent restoration concurrently with the excavation campaign. By integrating the assessment of the condition of aging and fractured stones with architectural analysis, this study provides an in-depth understanding of construction techniques and the integrated economic and social systems of oasis communities in the third millennium BCE.

This study explores the practice of abalone fishing in the Wilayat of Sadah, located in the Dhofar Governorate in southernmost Oman. It draws on recent archaeological discoveries from Naatf Cave in the Hasik area, dating back to approximately 10,500 BCE, which revealed a variety of artifacts, including fishing tools, shells, and ornamental items that may be linked to abalone fishing. The research aims to explore the potential connections between these ancient finds and traditional abalone fishing practices by tracing patterns of continuity and transformation in the tools and customs associated with the activity up to the present day. It also sheds light on the socio-economic transformations of this profession in recent decades, particularly due to the rise in abalone prices and growing demand, which have fostered widespread community engagement and contributed to the development of new cultural practices. The study adopts a qualitative methodology, analyzing semi-structured interviews with local fishermen and reviewing relevant literature. The data were analyzed using MAXQDA software to extract the cultural and social meanings linked to abalone fishing. The findings indicate that some contemporary practices and tools continue to echo the symbolic or material characteristics of the ancient finds, reinforcing the hypothesis that abalone fishing is deeply rooted in the region’s coastal cultural heritage and not merely an economic activity. This study contributes valuable insights to archaeologists by offering a living cultural context through which ancient artifacts may be reinterpreted, thus bridging the deep past with the living present in the Omani maritime experience.

Falaj al-Qaswat is one of the most distinctive cultural heritage landmarks in the Wilayat of Izki, Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate, representing a unique model of the sustainability of traditional water systems in the Sultanate of Oman. This falaj belongs to the ‘Addi type, which relies on the natural flow of water from deep groundwater reservoirs without the use of pumps. It extends for approximately 6.4 kilometers between the villages of Siddi and Harat al- Raha. Historical sources document its origin more than a thousand years ago; it is mentioned in Bayan al-Shar’ by Shaykh Mohammed ibn Ibrahim al-Kindi (5th century AH), and is also referenced in a rare manuscript written in the hand of Imam Nasir bin Murshid al-Ya‘rubi (17th century), conferring upon it well-documented historical significance within Oman’s water heritage. The engineering of the falaj is characterized by the precision of excavation and lining to ensure continuous flow. Its water salinity measures approximately 182 parts per million at a pH of 8.7, with an average discharge of about 17 liters per second. The irrigation system is managed through a precise traditional method known as al-Muhadara, which is based on dividing time into units called al-Athar, currently regulated using modern hours. The study aimed to document its hydrological, architectural, and social characteristics. It included an exploration of the falaj’s source Umm al-Falaj, its main channel Shari‘at al-Falaj, and the farms it irrigates, in addition to examining the Gharraq Falah system and analyzing traditional water distribution methods. The study concluded that Falaj al- Qaswat enjoys remarkable hydrological stability and that its efficiency in water distribution remains high due to regular maintenance and inherited traditional management. Findings demonstrated that the falaj plays an effective role in supporting sustainable agriculture and biodiversity. Recommendations include continued documentation of traditional knowledge, strengthening preventive maintenance programs using materials compatible with the original structural fabric, and scientific research to assess the impact of climate change on water resources.

Old settlements (harat) are considered among the most significant urban features in Oman, as they embody the ingenuity of the Omani people, their architectural and engineering capabilities, and their construction skills. These settlements are known for their distinctive structural characteristics and strategic locations. The settlement of Sital, located in Wadi Bani Kharous in the Wilayat of Al-Awabi, represents one of the ancient Omani settlements; notably, it comprises smaller sub-settlements that fall within the boundaries of the larger settlement. The settlement is distinguished by its strategic location, as it is situated on elevated ground overlooking the wadi, specifically in the southeastern section. This position rendered it a safe area, protected from the destructive flash floods that occur intermittently in Wadi Bani Kharous. It also withstood numerous attacks during certain phases of its history. The settlement encompassed various aspects of social, cultural, economic, administrative, and military life, and it underwent different stages of development over time. The study comprises several sections in addition to the introduction, conclusion, and appendices. The first section introduces Sital and its geographical location, as well as the concept of the Omani settlement and the location of Sital Settlement in particular. The second section presents a map of Sital Settlement and its components, including the smaller sub-settlements, their roads and branches, the types of houses and their architectural design, and the falaj water channel and its course. The third section discusses social and cultural activities and the buildings associated with them, such as the Qur’anic school, the modern school, the sablah, the Eid prayer space, and the location of the cemetery. The fourth section addresses economic activity within the settlement, including the location of the market and the nature of commercial movement.