First Iron Age burial site for children found
Archaeological excavations in Rustaq, South Batinah, by the Department of Archaeology at Sultan Qaboos University have unveiled a remarkable funerary building dating back to the Iron Age, approximately 3,000 years old.
This significant discovery marks a pivotal juncture in comprehending funerary practices in Oman, as it is the first dedicated burial site for children found in the region.
A statement issued by SQU said, 'The Department of Archaeology, in collaboration with a team from Sorbonne University in Paris, completed a monthlong excavation at the Manaqi site in February under the supervision of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism. The archaeological efforts are set to continue for at least the next five years.’
The Manaqi site is one of the largest Iron Age settlements in
South Batinah, showcasing numerous residential buildings, expansive cemeteries and defensive towers. This suggests the central role the settlement played during the 1st millennium BC.
The joint archaeological team selected two buildings, S1 and S2, for excavation in the first season. Building S2 displays a distinctive geometric plan, deviating from the typical structures in the settlement. Surprisingly, the building is in the shape of the letter ‘T’.
Excavations inside S2 unearthed over 30 graves of children, including newborns. ‘This unprecedented discovery raises intriguing questions about the cultural and religious motivations that led to the creation of a separate building for the burial of children, diverging from common funerary customs of the Iron Age.’
Dr Mohammed Abdul Hamid Hussein, head of the research team and Department of Archaeology at SQU, emphasised the significance of finding at the site. “Unique artefacts such as jars with basket-shaped handles and a rare pottery piece featuring a seal depicting two men were unearthed, marking the first-of-the-kind discovered in the region.”
According to Hussein, the findings throw new light on research and studies of funerary rituals and religious beliefs in the Iron Age in Oman. “It sheds light on an important and previously unknown aspect of the region's history, deepening our understanding of the cultural and social traditions of the societies of this period."
It sheds light on an important and previously unknown aspect of the region’s history, deepening our understanding of the cultural and social traditions of the societies of this period DR MOHAMMED ABDUL HAMID HUSSEIN