The Project

The examination of the satellite image led to the decision to start the survey on a hilly area between ‘Alayat Ibrā’ and Sufalat Ibra’. After the first inspection it became clear that this decision was right. Here the remains of an Umm an-Nar building of the 3rd millennium B.C. were discovered (I0004), which was shown by large boulders and scattered pottery. However, the walls are so dilapidated that the original appearance cannot be determined. Iron Age and Islamic pottery sherds show that the area was re-used in later periods.

About 200 m northeast, a large, round structure was found, which was probably an Umm an-Nar tomb according to its shape and the pottery in its surroundings (I0007). About fifty round and oblong stone structures were found on the same hill. Iron Age pottery and bones were found on two of the round structures. Therefore, we are probably dealing with an Iron Age cemetery. In any case, it is obvious that the stones of the Umm an-Nar tombs were re-used for the younger structures, and it is possible that there was more than one Umm an-Nar tomb.

An area of about 50 m x 50 m was bulldozed between these two small hills (I0005). In the gravel and sand heaps at the edges of this area, Wadi Suq pottery of the early 2nd millennium B.C. was found. A little south to it the surface was not yet bulldozed and some round underground structures were visible there. Presumably, a Wadi Suq cemetery with underground single graves was bulldozed at this place and only some graves remained. A rectangular stone structure, only one stone layer high, was recognizable on the ground close to the graves. No finds give a hint to function and dating.

During the survey in the palm gardens and the old towns in the oasis of ‘Alayat Ibra’ and Sufalat Ibra’, it turned out that this area was very disturbed by continuous use. In many cases the old surface is demolished by deepening the ground for the fields. Some small hills can be identified as remains of mud brick houses, which were scattered between the fields. Late Islamic pottery dates these remains. Few Iron Age sherds show that the area was already used during this period.

However,the main Iron Age occupation was located at two different sites. The early Iron Age settlement of the early 1st millennium B.C. was situated on a flat hill (I0039), which is now situated in an extended Islamic cemetery. No Islamic graves were built on that hill until today. Some very faint remains of walls are visible on the ground. However, the scattered sherds from early Iron Age settlement pottery made the occupation of the place obvious. At the foot of the hill and slightly apart from the Islamic graves, the remains of some early Iron Age tombs were found. However, it is possible and even probable that the Iron Age cemetery was larger in ancient times and that the tombs disappeared by the later use of that area as burial ground.

This settlement was not inhabited during the later part of the Iron Age. Instead, a new settlement was built on a high hill on the western side of Wadi Gharbi just above the old settlement of al-Qanatir (I0052). Thist settlement of the late 1st millennium B.C. respectively the early 1st millennium A.D. had already been discovered by the urban planners of the project group, when they mapped the architectural remains of al-Qanatir last autumn. The settlement consists of about twenty houses built with stone walls. In some cases the walls stand up to a height of 0.8 m. The scattered sherds can clearly be determined as late Iron Age settlement pottery. However, there are also sherds of early Iron Age grave wares. Therefore, it is obvious that the area was occupied by early Iron Age graves before the late Iron Age settlement was established.

Early as well as late Iron Age tombs were also found on the flanks of the hills extending on the southeastern side of Wadi Gharbi.

A settlement of middle and late Islamic date, i. e. from about 1055 to 1900, which was probably built already in the early Islamic period is situated on a hill above Wadi Gharbi (I0046). An old mosque is situated at the eastern slope of the hill and a small Islamic cemetery at the southern foot of this hill.

The survey in the modern built-up areas east of ‘Alayat Ibra’ and Sufalat Ibra’ showed that the hills were used for burials during the early Iron Age. However, these tombs are completely demolished. No other sites were recognized, and this makes clear that these areas were not used for habitation until modern times.

The survey was continued along the mountains on the eastern side of Wadi Ibra’ starting at Wadi Nam. At the junction of Wadi Nam with Wadi Ibra’ the hills were crowned by Hafit tombs of the late 4th or early 3rd millennium B.C. which mark the passage into the mountains. Further north several groups of different types of tombs ot probably 3rd millennium B.C. date were discovered. In all, more than 250 tombs were registered.

One type is similar to the tomb at Tawi Silaim, which was excaveted by de Cardi and Doe (Journal of Oman Studies 3/1, 18ff.). It consists of two to three double ringwalls and in many cases a plinth in front of the outer face of the tomb. The diameter of the tombs varies between 6 and 11 m. The chamber is about 1 to 2 m in diameter. Only few sherds of Umm an-Nar pottery were found. Other finds are beads of shell, carnelian and agate.