After the British Foundation for the Study of Arabia (BFSA) Annual General Meeting, there was a good chance to listen to Dr Derek Kennet talk about Archaeology in Oman and especially the Iron Age archaeology of a little-studied region in Oman .
Dr Kennet has specialised in the study of the Arabian Gulf’s history for many years and is Senior Lecturer at Durham University’s Department of Archaeology.
Dr Kennet explained looking at the usual map referring to archaeological sites in South East Arabia, especially those of the Iron Age, there is a vast area that might be called ‘Terra incognita’ (the unknown land) of Oman’s Batinah region.
This area has had, until recently, little attention from Archaeologists, despite Rustaq being an ancient town, with a name that presumably takes its name from the Persian for a collection or district of villages (Persia incorporated parts of Oman in its Empires during various periods before 630AD appx).
The Iron Age in Oman spans a period roughly from 1300 -300BC (separated into Iron Age 1 from 1300-1000BC / Iron Age 2 1000-600BC/ Iron Age 3 600-300BC) though rather perversely Copper/Bronze continued as the preferred metal in Oman, until more recent dates within this period.
This was a period of substantial increase in the number of villages and presumably population growth, development of Aflaj, the water delivery system by channels both overground and underground, the domestication of the Camel, use of hilltops for fortifications and cultic use.
Sites from the Iron Age period in Oman include Lizq and Salut, which are on the other side of the major northern Oman Al Hajar mountain range from Rustaq.
If you are interested in exploring Oman – my update to the Bradt Guide to Oman includes Lizq, Salut and the Ziggurat below – along with Rustaq and its environs. Of course with 360pages – there is a lot more.
Non-the less although the region had an unpromising appearance Dr Kennet lead a small team to study the area, principally that between Wabal Village and opposite Al Woshil in Rustaq, but also secondary areas at Musanaah and As Suwayq.
Despite this being a survey, rather than an excavation, almost immediately the area turned from Terra incognita into a land of small villages that might even be proto towns with subdivisions of purpose. In fact, such was the density and size of these settlements that the region may well turn out to be an exceptionally heavily developed area.
Notable and important finds from this survey include an interesting circular site on a hill’s ridge with broad steps inside it and a postulated formal flight of steps ascending from the wadi bed, as at Lizq; this Rustaq site might be a cultic centre.
A second cultic site is what might be a Ziggurat which would be the second in Oman, the other is west of Suhar.
Suhar is also on the same side of the Al Hajar mountains as Rustaq.
As with most archaeological sites, the ones Dr Kennet surveyed may not have intrinsic value however with detailed excavations the knowledge they generate and interest that they attract may enable the Oman government to generate income from them through tourism.
My rewrite of the Bradt Guide to Oman is available in eBook here and paperback through Amazon worldwide here.
Before the talk the BFSA made it clear that they wished to issue grants to researchers of Arabia and (in my opinion) the Rustaq area looks like an ideal location for a team to work in. The BFSA will also be looking for financial support from organisations or individuals who wish to enable ongoing research into the region.
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