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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.

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