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This study examines the distribution and function of ritual sites across the Oman Peninsula during the Iron Age. Spatial analysis reveals concentrations of cultic activity in specific topographical settings, such as mountain summits and wadi heads. Functional analysis of associated material culture suggests complex social rituals involving animal sacrifice and communal feasting.

Since 2019, the University of Naples archaeological project at Wadi Bani Khalid is conducting archaeological research as well as performing conservation and valorisation strategies for the fruition of the main Iron Age settlement of WBK1. From the archaeological point of view, this contribution intents to highlight the main scientific results related to the chronology of the Early to Late Iron Age settlements in Wadi Bani Khalid (WBK1 and fort WBK49) and the definition of the related material culture, from the EIA to the LIA, to better understand the role of such a rich landscape within the eastern Arabia Iron Age. Furthermore, from the conservation and valorisation point of view, this contribution intents to introduce first buildings’ conservation strategies and the definition of fruition pathways in WBK1, as well as the planning of a digital apparatus (virtual museum and gaming platform) for the dissemination of the scientific results.

The DExPO Project (Dolphin Exploitation in Prehistoric Oman), conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and the Natural History Museum of Oman, investigates the role of cetaceans within the coastal economies of southeastern Arabia from the Late Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age. This paper presents the results of a study on the marine mammal assemblages from Ras al-Hadd (HD-1, HD-2, HD-5) and Ras al-Jinz (RJ-2, RJ-3). Dolphin bones form a substantial yet understudied part of the faunal record. Over 570 diagnostic elements—mainly vertebrae, cranial, and flipper bones—were recorded using a dedicated analytical protocol for cetacean remains in the region. The identification of skeletal elements and species was aided by modern reference materials at the NHM Oman. Anatomical, biogeographic, and taphonomic factors complicate identification, so the adopted protocol integrates a suite of bone measurements statistically discriminating between species. Additionally, taphonomic marks such as traces of combustion and butchery were documented. The integrated analytical results support the hypothesis of a selective targeting of small-sized delphinids, likely Stenella spp., indicating that dolphin procurement was not opportunistic but structured and recurrent. These practices appear to have been seasonally patterned and closely linked to the ecological dynamics of lagoonal and open-sea environments. Moreover, evidence suggests dolphin remains were systematically used in fire production. This research highlights the emergence of specialised maritime economies and strategic exploitation across diverse coastal environments.

Shifting the focus from the well-studied coast to the inland piedmont opens a new chapter in understanding the Neolithic of South Arabia. The HERDS in Oman Project at the site of KHS-A, near al-Khashbah, offers a rare opportunity to view Neolithic lifeways from an inland perspective... [Texte intégral respecté]

The Omani Peninsula is among the richest regions of the Arabian Peninsula in terms of the diversity and chronological range of its rock art scenes. Numerous engravings and carvings are spread throughout the region, many of which remain undocumented due to the ongoing discovery of new sites. These scenes vividly reflect the life of ancient Omani communities in its religious, social, economic, and symbolic dimensions. Among the most significant themes represented in the region’s rock art are scenes of animal riding, where humans are depicted mounted on camels, horses, and donkeys. These images embody multiple meanings related to transportation, travel, hunting, and ceremonial practices, in addition to serving as symbols of power, bravery, and social status. This study aims to analyze scenes of animal riding in the rock art of the Omani Peninsula through a descriptive and analytical approach, seeking to uncover the purposes, functions, and meanings embedded within these depictions. It also explores the symbolic relationship between humans and animals and its role in shaping the visual identity of early Omani society. The significance of this study lies in highlighting rock art as a reliable visual record documenting ancient human life and contributing to the reinterpretation of Oman’s cultural heritage. Furthermore, rock art represents a cultural and touristic resource that can be employed to promote heritage tourism and strengthen national cultural awareness. The research methodology adopts a descriptive–analytical framework, focusing on identifying and interpreting rock art scenes related to animal riding, while comparing their stylistic, thematic, and symbolic dimensions. The study is structured around four main axes: 1) Rock art in the Omani Peninsula: origins, types, and artistic styles; 2) Depictions of camel riding in Omani rock art; 3) Depictions of horse riding and their symbolic and social implications; 4) Artistic and symbolic analysis of animal-riding scenes. The expected outcomes include: 1) Documenting the diverse uses of animals in ancient daily life; 2) Revealing the evolution of artistic and aesthetic awareness among ancient Omanis; 3) Affirming that rock art serves as a living, multidimensional cultural document linking humans with their environment, history, and identity.

The Neolithic development of Oman represents a pivotal stage in Arabian prehistory, marked by shifts in mobility, subsistence, and landscape exploitation... [cite: 4]

The Wādī Sūq period (c. 2000 – 1600 BCE) is characterised by a decrease in sedentary sites in inland regions and in variegated burial shapes compared to the preceding Umm an-Nar period (c. 2700 – 2000 BCE). One of the factors causing this cultural shift is the aridification of the 4.2 ka event. However, the scarcity of Wādī Sūq sites with radiocarbon dates in central Oman prevents us from understanding human activity and its diachronic change during this period. One of the potential sites resolving this issue is the cave of Mugharat al-Kahf, the Wādī Tanūf, the Ad-Dākhilīyah, Oman, with previous excavations yielding the Wādī Sūq pottery, stone vessels, and the charred date stones whose radiocarbon dates ranged between 2000 – 1500 calBCE (Miki et al. 2020, 2022). To acquire further evidence of human activity in this cave during the Wādī Sūq period, we excavated a new test pit (TP4), and this paper reports our findings and results of the radiocarbon measurements. New radiocarbon measurements on the charcoal samples revealed a sequence of human activity involving the use of fire, spanning from 1900 to 1600 calBCE. In addition, we discovered a well-preserved ceramic vessel placed upright near a large rock in front of the neighbouring rock shelter. These new findings confirm repeated use of the cave during the Wādī Sūq period, providing a refined chronology for this period in inland Oman.

Since 2008, the Arabian Human Social Dynamics (AHSD) and Ancient Socioecological systems in Oman (ASOM) projects have been investigating the relationship between the construction of small-scale stone monuments, evidence of human settlement, and the long-term socio-ecological dynamics of past pastoral ecosystems in Southern Arabia. These are archaeological cultures with few material remains, strongly suggestive of sustained mobility and organic, perishable toolkits and crafts. A spectacular find, such as the accessories of Ötzi the Iceman or the Urumqi mummies of the Tarim basin, can draw public attention and archaeological focus to such communities, but for the most part, the lifestyles, identities, and beliefs of Bedouin cultures of Arabia and the Sahara leave few permanent traces. It has been easy to think theirs a timeless lifestyle, what Eric Wolf famously pilloried as “People without History.” Leaving aside for the moment the new discovery that the alphabetic Dhofar script can now be read and may indeed offer history in emic terms, our paper offers a second avenue to history for the Dhofar pastoralists. Recent archaeological work has established that settlements in the Dhofar escarpment and coastal plain are the encampments of mobile pastoralists without dependence on crop agriculture and products. What has been less clear is the chronology of this settlement pattern, recently tied to the Late Iron Age (300 BCE-300 CE). Our paper reports new radiocarbon assays from archaeological survey and test excavations that complement published radiocarbon dates from highland Dhofar sites, Halqoot and Shakeel. We offer a Bayesian analysis to provide chronological refinement of the crude “history” provided by unconstrained calibrations, and link settlement histories to other published datasets from Dhofar.

The site of Al Tikha is located on the eastern slopes of the Al Hajar Mountains, between Wadi Sahtan and Wadi al-Ghashab, approximately 42 km southwest of the Batinah coast and north of the modern city of Rustaq. First identified during the Rustaq-Batinah Archaeological Survey, it preserves evidence of occupation from the Umm an- Nar and Iron Age periods. Between 2022 and 2026, the Omani-Italian Archaeological Expedition — a joint project between the University of Pisa and Sultan Qaboos University, under the supervision of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism — carried out five field seasons aimed at investigating the settlement sequence and organization of the site. The 2026 campaign continued the excavation of the Umm an-Nar towers, the copper workshop area, and the associated settlement sectors, with the goal of achieving a more comprehensive understanding of architectural development, craft production, and spatial organization within the community. After five years, the results provide an increasingly detailed picture of the site’s internal layout, phases of occupation, and its role within the settlement dynamics of inland South Al Batinah during the 3rd millennium BCE.

This study aims to reveal the extent of Omani university students’ awareness of the cultural heritage of Omani ports during the Islamic era, and to examine their perceptions of the role of these ports in the commercial, cultural, and scientific exchange between Oman and the Islamic world. To achieve this, the study sample was selected using convenience random sampling, comprising (500) male and female students from five Omani universities. The study employed a descriptive-analytical approach, and data were collected using an awareness scale consisting of (4) axes followed by (40) items, after ensuring the necessary validity and reliability. The results of this study revealed that the overall average across all axes was high, and that many students are aware of the historical and commercial importance of Omani ports. However, only a limited percentage possess detailed knowledge of the cultural and civilizational role that these ports played during the Islamic era. The study also revealed a need to enhance academic and societal awareness of the Sultanate of Oman’s maritime heritage through university curricula, cultural programs, and research activities. This aligns with the higher education objectives in Oman, which aim to foster a deeper understanding of the role of maritime ports in Omani civilization. The study recommends integrating topics related to maritime heritage and historical ports into university curricula and encouraging students to conduct field studies at historical coastal sites. This will contribute to strengthening national and cultural identity and deepening understanding of the Sultanate of Oman’s pioneering role in Islamic history.

In recent decades, the Sultanate of Oman has witnessed growing attention to documentation and architectural survey projects of historic buildings, recognized as a fundamental component of safeguarding Omani architectural heritage and a cornerstone for planning sustainable restoration and rehabilitation initiatives. Governmental and academic institutions have come to recognize that heritage protection cannot be achieved without a precise knowledge base that records the material and symbolic attributes of buildings before they are exposed to deterioration or transformation. This paper aims to analyze the most significant field-based architectural documentation experiences in the Sultanate, with particular emphasis on projects implemented through partnerships between the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences. The study presents selected examples of documentation projects covering a number of prominent sites, including the forts and castles, as well as numerous historic quarters and mosques. These sites were subjected to rigorous documentation programs that, alongside historical data, incorporated photographic documentation, architectural surveying, three-dimensional modeling, three-dimensional visual sections, and the recording and analysis of construction materials and architectural elements. The methodology is based on a descriptive and comparative analysis of traditional documentation methods (manual surveying and architectural drawing) and contemporary digital techniques (3D laser scanning and aerial photogrammetry using unmanned aerial vehicles). Architectural documentation in Oman is undergoing a transitional phase toward digital transformation in heritage preservation, and partnerships between governmental bodies and universities have contributed significantly to the development of national capacities and unified professional standards. The paper recommends the establishment of a national center for the digital documentation of architectural heritage, dedicated to collecting, organizing, and continuously updating data related to historic buildings in line with Oman Vision 2040.

The UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Bat and al-Khutm are renowned for their Early Bronze Age monuments. Together, they form part of a broad archaeological complex dispersed across the Wadi al-Hijr floodplain, its tributaries, and surrounding hills. While archaeological remains are distributed throughout this landscape, the highest densities of materials—towers, tombs, settlement structures, and related features and artifacts—are found on the hill peaks and slopes lining the wadi valley, including the Bat Settlement Slope, al-Ahilya, and al-Khutm Settlement. These locations preserve dense palimpsest of domestic, monumental, and mortuary materials at or just below the ground surface. Rather than a continual occupation, the remains reflect an intermittent presence and repeated reoccupation from the late fourth through the first millennium BCE. Such complex sets of multi-period surface remains are common at archaeological sites throughout the Hajar region, yet are rarely addressed through an explicit methodological or theoretical framework. Drawing on recent fieldwork by the Bat Archaeological Project, this paper conceptualizes the Bat and al-Khutm landscape as a cultural palimpsest spanning the Bronze and Iron Ages. Methodologically, it examines the challenges posted by superimposed occupational layers of site documentation, spatial analysis, and material characterization. Theoretically, it considers how palimpsest—where each occupational phase overlays and interacts with preceding remains—shapes the formation, use, and perception of the site as a cultural space over time. Results speak to larger interpretive issues of continuity and change in this characteristically Arabian landscape.