Copper arrows and women’s ornaments dating back to the 1st millennium BC – Iron Age – have been found in Al Omaiqat in the wilayat of Bidbid, Dakhliyah governorate, according to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism. 

The ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, conducted excavations at the Al Omaiqat archaeological site, which contains ancient tombs dating back to the 1st millennium BC. The period extended from the year 1,000 BC to 1 BC and encompassed the Iron Age.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Walid al Ghafri, project supervisor, said, “The excavation work continued for more than two weeks at the site, seven to eight hours daily. Four specialists from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and 12 workers worked at the site. We found hundreds of copper arrow heads and some women’s ornaments dating back to the Iron Age. We also found pot covers made of soapstone. The artefacts have been handed over to specialists of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for examination.”

The site is located close to ongoing works of the Rusayl-Nizwa Dual Carriageway project, owing to which the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism managed the operation in coordination with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.

“The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism will continue to conduct more archaeological excavations in various governorates of the sultanate,” said Ghafri.