Archaeologists unearth largest Early Bronze Age structure in Oman

In a groundbreaking discovery, a team from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) has unearthed what is believed to be the largest Early Bronze Age structure in Oman.

The remarkable find, located on the fringes of Wadi Andam in Mudhaibi, North Sharqiyah governorate, dates back over 4,500 years. The site, known as Al Gharyein, showcases a unique architectural style not previously identified in the region, according to the team at the Department of Archaeology at SQU'S College of Arts and Social Sciences.

The excavation, in December 2023, unearthed a building spread over more than 550sqm.

‘This structure, characterised by its significant size and standalone nature, marks the oldest and largest non-tower edifice discovered on the Omani Peninsula from the Early Bronze Age. This finding contrasts sharply with contemporary structures, such as those at Umm al Nar in Abu Dhabi and Dahwa in Saham, North Batinah, which did not exceed 300sqm,’ the researchers stated.

The Al Gharyein building is distinguished by its unique architectural design, featuring a rectangular fort with rounded corners, encircled by a substantial stone wall and a supporting retaining wall. The main building, presumed to be a central, unroofed fort due to its expansive area, differs from residential designs, suggesting its use as a public or possibly religious space.

Over four seasons of excavation, beginning in 2018 and concluding in December 2023, SQU’S Department of Archaeology has unearthed a vast Early Bronze Age settlement at the site.

The settlement, inhabited during the Hafeet (3000-2700 BC) and Umm al Nar (27002000 BC) eras, represents a continuity of settlement over nearly a thousand years.

The archaeological activities have differentiated at least 37 buildings from the Hafeet era and more than 21 from the Umm al Nar era, alongside a significant circular tower and numerous late Iron Age cemeteries (900-300 BC) in the site's northern area.

The excavation was led by Dr Nasser al Jahwari of SQU, in collaboration with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, and supported by team members Dr Khalid Douglas and Dr Mohammad Hussein.