Three important archaeological sites unearthed in Oman

The Ministry of Heritage and Culture recently completed archaeological excavations at three different sites in Qumira, Dhank, in cooperation with the University of Warsaw in Poland.

Credit: Times of Oman

The archaeological digs revealed three settlements in the area of Qumira in Ain Bani Saada: a cemetery dating back to the third millennium BC; a Neolithic settlement; and a settlement dating from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age.

The location of Qumira made it a trade hub for copper trade, in addition to the availability of water. Settlements continued to flourish for a long period of time, dating from the third millennium to the first century BC and the Islamic period.

Credit: Times of Oman

The cemetery that was excavated dates back to the third millennium BC, and contained four burial chambers. Numerous skeletal remains were found with many funerary artefacts, including pottery vessels, stones, beads and arrows.

Archaeological excavations at the second site revealed a settlement of several residential buildings built on stone foundations, including a circular tower. A number of local and imported pottery fragments were found in this settlement.

Credit: Times of Oman

The third site was that of a Bronze Age settlement that survived through the Iron Age and the late Islamic period. These buildings were built on stone foundations with complex divisions.

This settlement was connected to three stone towers. One of those being similar to the Rajum Tower in the archaeological site of Bat, which also features its curved ring wall.

Source: Times of Oman [January 31, 2018]