Muscat – The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) announced the results of archaeological surveys and excavations for the season 2021/2022 on Monday.

A statement issued by MHT said that an excavation programme began in October 2021 and covered various governorates involving 19 archaeological missions of local and international universities and scientific institutions.

The archaeological missions carried out surveys and excavation of archaeological sites dating back to different periods of time and hosted a number of experts and specialists to study artefacts.

The results of the surveys revealed significant information about past civilisations, including demographics and social life, in addition to the economic aspects of the related period.

The ministry, in cooperation with an Italian mission from the University of Rome, worked at an archaeological excavation in Dibba and studied pottery, stone and bronze vessels, swords, arrows and other objects found at the dig.

In cooperation with a Polish mission, MHT continued the sixth season of excavations at three settlements near Ain Bani Sa’idah, in the wilayat of Dhank, Dhahirah, dating back to a period between Umm al Nar and the Iron Age.

A mission from the University of Tübingen, Germany, found stone buildings dating back to 3100 BC in Al Khashba village in the wilayat of Mudhaibi.

A mission from Leiden University, The Netherlands, worked on several archaeological sites, including Ras al Jinz 1 and 2 dating back to the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC. Both sites include settlements built with mud bricks and stones.

An American mission from Ohio University studied climate change and its impact on human lifestyle in Dhofar in ancient times. The mission also collected samples of plants and pollen. Additionally, the mission’s excavations unearthed a settlement in the Halqut area.

A joint archaeological mission of MHT, Sultan Qaboos University and the British University of Durham discovered remnants of a fort surrounded by circular towers at the Al Fulaij archaeological site in the wilayat of Saham, North Batinah. The site includes furnaces dating back to the 5th century AD, and burials from the 3rd and 1st millennium BC.