VILLAGE ON A ROCK!

Al Hashah village is one of the oldest villages in Wadi Bani Hani (Wilayat of Al Rustaq). The village reveals to its visitor the contours of creativity in construction and ancient architecture. Its houses were constructed on two parallel lines; east and west, separated by a long corridor extending from the big wooden gate until it reaches the high tower on the south part of the village.

This village was built on a gigantic rock in the middle of the wadi. It used to be called the (Town of Al Ain). This was relative to a spring water emanating on the west side of the village.

Its unique and distinctive shape and location in the centre of the wadi has led some to call it “The Ship”. The village, with its archaeological buildings, appears to be lying on a rectangular deaf rock from north to south. Despite the run-off of the valleys, this village was not affected.

The north gate is the only gate to the village, the only entrance and exit, and at the main entrance there are two large and heavy wooden gates, which are stacked with iron nails and distinctive inscriptions.

This fortification protected the village and its residents from any sudden raid.

The village includes single houses, rooms, weapons and food stores, a mosque, a water well and a tower located on the south side of the village. It relies on a natural ventilation system and features arches, clay columns, doors and wooden windows.

Today, this village is visited by thousands of tourists to see its features and monuments, which provides details of the of ancient Omani life. The village has witnessed historical, social, political and economic events at different periods, and the villagers continue to be interested in agriculture, livestock and honeybees. Many of them are pointed as professionals in pottery and traditional handmade industries. They also benefit from the vegetation in extracting dozens of medicinal herbs that are used in the treatment of some diseases.

This site still retains the symbols of the Omani architectural style. Locals are calling for the importance of restoring this village, as it is one of the archaeological realities that tourists from different countries flock to.