Thursday 26 / December / 2024
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman's Ministry of Heritage and Tourism(MHT) in collaboration with the University of Naples, Italy, has announced significant findings from the seventh season of archaeological work at the Al-Baleed site in Dhofar Governorate. The ongoing excavations continue to shed light on the rich history of this important Omani site.
The latest discoveries focus on a building complex located south of the fort and Al-Baleed Mosque, near the Al-Furda area and along the path leading to the southwestern gate. The structure comprises several small rooms, areas designated as hearths, and a number of ovens. These features offer valuable insights into the daily life and activities of the site's inhabitants during the later periods of its occupation.
Most significantly, the excavations have yielded a substantial quantity of shells alongside a diverse collection of artifacts. These artifacts, both locally produced and imported from distant regions such as India, Africa, and China, provide compelling evidence of Al-Baleed's role as a thriving trading center between the 16th and 18th centuries. The presence of these foreign goods underscores the site's extensive trade networks and its integration into wider regional and global economic systems.
These ongoing efforts reaffirm the Ministry's commitment to preserving and understanding Oman's cultural heritage. Through meticulous archaeological investigation and international collaboration, the work at Al-Baleed continues to enrich our understanding of Oman's past and its place in history.
