First Published 2009-03-28, Last Updated 2009-03-28 12:09:09
Oman; the land of hidden treasures
Vibrant Civilization uncovered in Oman
Italian team unveils different forms of coastal settlements dating back to Stone Age in Sultanate. By Dr. Hussein Shehadeh - SALALAH
The Sultanate of Oman is gifted with geographical diversity, its coastline that stretches for 3,165 kilometers including islands and gulfs, and its land area of 309,500 square kilometers, all of which have attracted travelers, traders, and immigrants throughout history.
Its geographical position forms a local point of contact with other nations and civilizations, and enables the Omanies with their neighbors to shape the historical events in their region.
In many regions of Oman different forms of coastal settlements dating back to the Stone Age have
been discovered. Archaeological evidence has confirmed the existence of such settlements. The discovery of agriculture, animal domestication and primitive production such as spinning, weaving, pottery and the making of metal tools, followed by the spread of the copper mining industry and trading with other countries like Mesopotamia, India and China, have chronicled Oman’s strategic role through the pages of history to modern times.
Dhofar, the Land of Frankincense has remained, since the earliest times, as the principle source of production and exportation of the finest and most famous varieties of incense. This land had numerous names: the land of A’ad, the country of Punt and the country of Al-Shahr. It is assumed that Ahqaf (or sandy land), mentioned in the Holy Quran represented the Dhofar region. The area was well known by the Pharaohs, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Persians, Hindus and Chinese. The Greeks referred to the coast as “Omana”. Others called it by different names and established trade relations, describing its coast as the “frankincense coast’.
The city of Al-Baleed is in Salalah on the coastal strip between A1-Dhariz and Al-Haffa, covering an area of (640.000) Al-Baleed is the historically late name for a medieval town, the name of which is transcribed variously as, Dhofar, Zafar etc. Archaeological excavations have shown that there was an Iron Age settlement here. It most probably survived for a long period afterwards, despite the lack of a specific mention in Ptolmy’s Geography.
The recent excavation has shown that the site was inhabited in the pre-Islamic period. Since its origins, circa 2,000 BC in the Bronze Age and its continued rise in the late Iron Age, it was a key centre, which dominated the East African, Indian and Chinese trade, Both Arab and European historical references indicate that it was rebuilt a number of times from the 4th century AH (10th century AD) to its final demise at approximately 618AH (l22l AD).
The site was first pictured in 1930, and first dug out in 1952 by an American Mission. In 1977, the Ministry of Heritage and Culture conducted a survey program on AL-Baleed. The office of Advisers for Cultural Affairs has launched a comprehensive program of restoration and development.
International archaeological missions have for many decades expressed their intimate interest in the archaeological treasures of Oman.
The latest of such missions is the Italian Mission in Oman (IMT). It comprises a group of men and women, headed by Professor Alessandra Avanzini of the University of Pisa.
I had the pleasure to meet with professor Avanzini and her energetic and deeply motivated group in Dhofar earlier in the year. She outlined some of the activities carried out by the mission in two significant sites:
Salut Archaeological site
With the support and supervision of the Office of the Advisor to the Sultan for Cultural Affairs, the Italian expedition of the University of Pisa has continued its work at the archaeological site of Khor Ron “Sumhuram”, in the Governorate of Dhofar. The Italian mission was invited in 2004 to conduct a preliminarily study of what is now confirmed to be the settlement of Salut, at Buhal in Al Dakhalia region.
The historical importance of Salut is directly linked to the beginning of the history of Oman; and thus related to the early arrival of the Arab tribes from other parts of Arabia. The site is also linked to the early evidence of the Aflaj system in the Omani peninsula.
The archaeological site of Salut lies on a rocky outcrop (about 20.45 m above the lever of the surrounding plain) in the middle of an ancient oasis, which covered a large area in the western part of a valley, crossed by wadi Bahla and wadi Sayfam.
After the first campaigns, the Iron period of Salut (from the 1400 to 600 BC) came to light. Surely, Salut is one of the most important sites for the knowledge of this period, so far not well known, in Eastern Arabia.
However, during this last campaign, more significant evidence has been discovered during the excavation. A large circular stone structure has been uncovered directly under the surface of the platform, which indicates a much earlier phase of the settlement in the early Bronze Age, third millennium BC.
We had a clarification of the plan of the Early Bronze Age structure: It is a large circular structure, located on what would have been the highest point on the hilltop, with concentric walls, with a diameter of about 12 meters. It is a monumental tomb where human remains have been found. There are sufficiently long bones to show that it had been placed in a flexed position.
A number of interesting finds were recovered also from nearby, beads, bronze pin and a white stone mace-head. The structure foundations lie directly on the bedrock and the structure has been covered by the Iron mud-brick surface.
Furthermore, it has been recognized on the east side of the site, which represents the steepest slope of the hill, a large buttress built against the outside wall. Preliminary clearing on the slope has, however, already revealed a substantial wall from the top of the hill.
The buttress and the wall reveal that it most probably dates back to the Bronze Age. During the further removal of collapsed stones, a possible door through the tower wall has been revealed. In front of the door, two alignments of huge natural stones could indicate a way to enter into the fortified site.
The large amount of artifices revealed during the excavations (stone and bronze tools, pottery vessels, votive objects, in particular snakes) as well as a mud-brick and stone structure of Salut, is a proof of the historical importance of the site in the History of Oman.
The archaeological relevance of Salut lies both in its developed fortification, the monumental architecture and in the use of a sophisticated irrigation system known as Aflaj.
Khor Rori “Sumhuram” Archaeological site
In Sumhuram, a restoration campaign was held from October 11 until December 11, 2008, focusing on three areas, which are considered strategic for the presentation of the site. Works concerned the outer city walls, facing the entrance of the site, the Gate complex and the main structures of the so called “Monumental Building”.
The concepts behind these restoration activities, together with the choice of the used material and techniques, fulfill UNESCO and ICOMOS issues and recommendations.
For the archaeological works, I would like to present the excavations of a room near the monumental building. This ambient was characterized by a clear cultic function. Along all the walls of the room ran low benches, at each corner of the room stood a squared feature. At its southern end, the area is closed by a kind of a little altar. This altar is U-shaped, two small decorated pillars stand nearby the eastern corner, bearing the image of a snake. From this room the most interesting findings of the last campaign come out.
A complete human head was found in the surface. It is the first human head discovered in Sumhuram. The find seems to have had a funerary function, but the piece has been re-employed. Additionally a tall incense burner was found, 15.5 cm, with a high-truncated pyramidal-shaped base. The base is decorated with projecting and recessing panels, with slightly winding snakes.
On the frontal face of the cubic element is depicted the astral motif made from the crescent moon with a disk inside. The lateral faces present an eagle with opened wings and a feline (panther).
A tall incense burner (15 cm) complete, except for three of the four decorative elements, placed on the corner. All the four faces are decorated. There are chess motifs, rectangular projecting vertical panels on three of the faces. The fourth, mainly the frontal one, present the typical South Arabian astral motif. But, surely, the third incense burner is the most interesting. It is tall and surmounted by a circular cup.
The most interesting feature is, beside the composite shape, the decoration placed on the main face. It shows three animals, a lion and two ibexes. The lion is represented in frontal position with the fore legs realized in full relief and standing on a short support. The lion has a thick mane and on the muzzle a decoration which resembles the horned tiara of the Mesopotamian divinities.
Oman’s numerous archaeological sites are relevant to the Sultanate’s own history, but they also contribute to a greater understanding of civilization. Several sites feature on the World Heritage List. Oman has energetically demonstrated its membership of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.
http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/culture/?id=31244