Books on traditional Omani weapons, archaeological heritage released
Books also showcase excavations in Qurum and a collection of Early Iron Age metal objects from Khoudh
To highlight the archaeological heritage of Oman, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism recently released four books that showcase traditional weapons, excavations at a prehistoric site in Qurum in Muscat, archaeological remains of the very first inhabitants of Dhofar, and a collection of Early Iron Age metal objects from Khoudh.
Prehistoric Fisherfolk of Oman: The Neolithic Village of Ras Al-hamra RH-5
This book describes the excavations at the prehistoric site of Ras Al-hamra RH-5 in the Qurum area of Muscat. The Neolithic necropolis of RH-5 (4th millennium BC) was explored by the late Prof Maurizio Tosi starting 1977, becoming one of the first archaeological sites ever excavated in Oman.
The book is written by Lapo Gianni Marcucci, Emilie Badel (both from University of Paris, France), and Francesco Genchi (Rome University, Italy). In 12 chapters spread over 200 pages, that include 200 images, the book describes in detail the research activities and their important historical outcome.
Ancient Weapons of Oman: Edged Weapons & Firearms
The two-volume collection presents traditional types of weapons - Volume 1 on edged weapons and Volume 2 on firearms – made, used and traded in Oman during the Islamic period, written by Vincenzo Clarizia, an Italian expert on pre-modern weapons used and produced in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Clarizia is a restorer and collector of ancient weapons and a skilled practitioner of traditional combat techniques.
The first of the two volumes describes the traditional edged weapons used in Oman, including swords, daggers, axes and spears, while the second volume is on traditional firearms - pistols, rifles and cannons.
For each weapon featured, the author describes in great detail its invention, technical specifications, production history, and major international trade routes. He explains how these were used, in terms of combat techniques and the role the weapons eventually played in shaping the history of the whole humankind and Oman in particular.
An important part of the books reveals the history of how such weapons became symbols of social status in modern and peaceful Oman, and how and why these are part of the dress for traditional ceremonies and dances at public events.
The First Peoples of Oman: Palaeolithic Archaeology of the Nejd Plateau
The book, written by Jeffrey I Rose, Yamandú H Hilbert, Anthony E Marks Vitaly I Usik - foremost experts in prehistoric archaeology and stone tools - describe the archaeological remains of the very first people that inhabited Dhofar (and Oman in general) when, almost 1mn years ago, a different global climate made Arabia very green.
At that time, perennial rivers flowed in Dhofar, feeding wetlands and forests. This verdant environment attracted hunters and gatherers, who flourished along Dhofar's waterways, drawn to the freshwater springs and abundant preys.
The presence of many chert outcrops from which inhabitants fashioned their stone tools was also important. This book first describes how archaeologists define the use and antiquity of the stone tools they discover, which are the only archaeological remains for these periods. It later narrates the characteristics of the different cultures that lived in the region for over a million years of successive human occupation.
The Early Iron Age Metal Hoard from the Al Khawd Area
The book describes in detail a collection of numerous metal artefacts discovered during construction works in the Al Khoudh area near Sultan Qaboos University. Mostly fashioned from copper, these arrowheads, axes, daggers, knives, spearheads, metal vessels, razors, rings, swords, and tweezers are dated to the Early Iron Age (1200-300 BC).
The Early Iron Age is therefore not to be considered a “dark age”, but an innovative, successful period characterised by evident population growth.
The objects were studied by a team of experts headed by Prof Nasser al Jahwari (Sultan Qaboos University) and Prof Paul A Yule (Heidelberg University in Germany), with technical collaboration with Prof Bernhard Pracejus (Sultan Qaboos University) for metal identification and provenance. Prof Khaled Douglas, Prof Mohammed al Belushi and Prof Ali T el Mahi were also involved in excavating and documenting the objects.
The books can be purchased worldwide in print and digital formats through Archaeopress Publishing (Oxford, UK), and will be available at bookshops in Oman.