Documentation and Heritage Management Plan: Mirbat, Dhofar Governorate The town of Mirbāt is located on the shores of the Arabian sea, on the north-eastern edge of the bay of Salalah, within the Governorate of Dhofar, southern Oman. While it is still one of the larger towns in the region it is second to Salalah, the…
Documentation, Heritage Management and Tourism Development Plan: Al-Hamra, Misfat Al-Abriyin The relatively small community of around 60 dwellings of Misfāt al-‘Abriyīn, clustered on the southern slopes of the Jabal al-Akhdar mountains, is of great value as a prime example of Oman’s vernacular architectural heritage and the inventiveness of its inhabitants in dealing with difficult terrain…
Documentation and Heritage Management Plan Harat al-Gila, Wadi Shaab The site of al-Gilā, included into the UNESCO ‘Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman’ WHS, lies deep within the Sharqiya Mountains in a difficult to reach area, located at the headwaters of the Wādi Shaab. Status Completed (2014) Type Documentation and Heritage Management Location 22°47’31.67″ N 59°07’20.77″ E…
Documentation and Heritage Management Plan: Harat Al Barashid and Harat as-Sawafah, Sinaw Oasis The importance of the Sinaw oasis as an entrepôt for trade networks connecting the coastal and desert areas of Sharqiyyah to the Interior of Oman is attested by the annual migration of Bedouin fishermen and from the coast, who trade their products…
Documentation and Heritage Management Plan Harat al-Mudairyb, al-Qabil Harat al-Mudayrib, a single settlement core nestled within a ring of low ophiolite hills, is overlooked by Hisn al-Mudayrib, an enclosure-type fort used in times of strife. The settlement historically played a central role in the Sharqiyah region and beyond due to important trade connections with as…
National Museum, Oman The National Museum of the Sultanate of Oman was established under a Royal Decree, issued on November 20, 2013. It opened its doors on July 30, 2016, and is an excellent showcase of Oman’s cultural heritage dating back two million years. Status Completed (2013) Type Contribution to permanent collection Location Muscat, Oman Client…
Documentation and Heritage Management Plan Harat al-Hujra, Fanja Oasis Located atop a rocky plateau on the banks of the Wadi Fanja, the settlement of Harat al-Hujra is a prime example of the originality with which Oman’s hinterland communities used the landscape for protection and agriculture. The small village, comprised of only about 30 dwellings, is…
Documentation and Heritage Management Plan Harat as-Sulayf, Ibri Oasis Situated on the eastern edge of the Ibri oasis the small settlement of as-Sulayf is located in a commanding position, controlling access to the oasis from atop a rocky cliff. The well-defended position, surrounded by towers, walls and demanding topography required the construction a sophisticated water…
Documentation and Heritage Management Plan Harat al-Aqr, Bahla Fort and Oasis (UNESCO World Heritage Site) One of the most ancient of Oman’s oasis settlements, Bahla has been inducted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list due to its unique architectural character. The gigantic mud brick fort (one of the largest in the world), the restoration…
Documentation & Heritage Management Plan Harat al-Yemen, Izki Oasis The oasis of Izki is reputedly one of the oldest permanently inhabited sites in Northern Oman. Large amounts of Hafit and Umm an-Nar remains in the area in the form of beehive tombs and circular enclosures attest a continuous human presence in the area since at…