Muscat – Archaeologists in Oman have uncovered a pair of 4,200-year-old copper cymbals that may point to the use of music as a unifying element among early civilisations across the Arabian Gulf and the Indian subcontinent.

The early Bronze Age instruments were discovered at an archaeological site in Dahwa, North Batinah. Dr Khaled A Douglas, head of Archaeology Department at Sultan Qaboos University and lead author of a study published in the journal Antiquity, told Muscat Daily that this is the first time a musical instrument from this period has been found so well preserved in the Arabian Peninsula.

“These cymbals seem to have been placed intentionally, likely for a ritual purpose,” Douglas stated, adding that the find suggests music may have been used not just in daily life but also in ceremonial gatherings.

The cymbals were found stacked in the corner of a large structure believed to have served as venue of a public or religious function. Both are identical in size and made from locally sourced copper. The building, which featured a raised platform and occupied a central location within the settlement, is thought to have hosted gatherings or events.

The cymbals are notable for their resemblance to instruments found in ancient Indus Valley cities such as Mohenjo-Daro and depicted in carvings from Mesopotamia. These regions were active in trade and cultural exchanges with Oman, which was historically known for its copper production and coastal trading routes.

“This discovery indicates that cultural exchanges between the Arabian Peninsula and the Indus Valley extended beyond trade, encompassing shared musical practices that may have played a role in uniting diverse communities,” Douglas said.

The study, carried out by researchers from Sultan Qaboos University in collaboration with international experts, adds to mounting archaeological evidence that Oman was a key node in the network of early civilisational contact in the region.