Muscat – The first International Conference on the Archaeology of the Oman Peninsula will be held from February 1 to 3 at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), bringing together more than 100 scholars and specialists from Oman and abroad to examine the region’s rich archaeological and cultural heritage.

Organised jointly by SQU, represented by the Department of Archaeology, and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the conference marks the first international scientific gathering dedicated exclusively to the archaeology and heritage of peninsular Oman and south-eastern Arabia.

The conference coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Journal of Omani Studies, which is devoted to cultural and natural heritage.

Prof Nasser Said al Jahwari, Chair of the Organising Committee and Editor-in-Chief of the journal, said the conference aims to establish Oman as a regional and international hub for archaeological research, academic dialogue and scholarly collaboration.

“This conference will lay the foundation for a regular international academic event that brings together researchers from around the world to advance fieldwork, foster research partnerships and disseminate high-quality scientific outcomes in line with the highest academic standards,” he said.

The conference programme is structured around six main themes: prehistoric archaeology, Islamic archaeology, rock art, built heritage, palaeoenvironment and palaeoclimate, and underwater archaeology. Sixty scholars will present research papers highlighting recent discoveries, methodologies and interpretations related to the archaeological records of  peninsular Oman.

Prof Jahwari informed that the Department of Archaeology at SQU plays a central role in shaping academic discussions and supporting the development of archaeological research in the sultanate.

The conference is also closely linked to recent developments of the Journal of Omani Studies, which has published 356 scholarly articles in Arabic and English over five decades. In 2025, the journal entered a new phase through an agreement with Archaeopress Publishing (Oxford) to become an open-access digital publication, alongside efforts to index it in leading international academic databases.

Sultan Saif al Bakri, Supervisor of the Archaeological Missions Programme and Heritage Publications at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said the conference represents a specialised scientific platform highlighting Oman’s cultural and civilisational significance.

He added that archaeological survey, excavation and research activities have expanded significantly in recent years through partnerships with local and international institutions, leading to the documentation of new sites and the application of advanced scientific techniques in research and heritage documentation.

“The conference will provide an important space for dialogue, the exchange of expertise and discussion on issues related to archaeological research, site management and heritage protection,” Bakri said, expressing hope that the deliberations would contribute to safeguarding Oman’s cultural heritage for future generations.