Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn

Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn

The protohistoric site of Bat lies near a palm grove in the interior of the Sultanate of Oman. Together with the neighbouring sites, it forms the most complete collection of settlements and necropolises from the 3rd millennium B.C. in the world.

Oman

Al Dhahira region

N23 16 11.496 E56 44 42

Date of Inscription: 1988

Criteria: (iii)(iv)

Ref: 434

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman

 Brief Description

The property includes five aflaj irrigation systems and is representative of some 3,000 such systems still in use in Oman. The origins of this system of irrigation may date back to AD 500, but archaeological evidence suggests that irrigation systems existed in this extremely arid area as early as 2500 BC. Using gravity, water is channelled from underground sources or springs to support agriculture and domestic use. The fair and effective management and sharing of water in villages and towns is still underpinned by mutual dependence and communal values and guided by astronomical observations. Numerous watchtowers built to defend the water systems form part of the site reflecting the historic dependence of communities on the aflaj system. Threatened by falling level of the underground water table, the aflaj represent an exceptionally well-preserved form of land use.

Oman

Dakhiliya, Sharqiya and Batinah Regions

N22 59 56 E57 32 9.8

Date of Inscription: 2006

Criteria: (v)

Property : 1,456 ha

Buffer zone: 16,404 ha

Ref: 1207

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Land of Frankincense

Brief Description

The frankincense trees of Wadi Dawkah and the remains of the caravan oasis of Shisr/Wubar and the affiliated ports of Khor Rori and Al-Baleed vividly illustrate the trade in frankincense that flourished in this region for many centuries, as one of the most important trading activities of the ancient and medieval world.

Oman

Dhofar Province

N18 15 11.988 E53 38 51.324

Date of Inscription: 2000

Criteria: (iii)(iv)

Property : 850 ha

Buffer zone: 1,243 ha

Ref: 1010

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

 

Bahla Fort

Brief Description

The oasis of Bahla owes its prosperity to the Banu Nebhan, the dominant tribe in the area from the 12th to the end of the 15th century. The ruins of the immense fort, with its walls and towers of unbaked brick and its stone foundations, is a remarkable example of this type of fortification and attests to the power of the Banu Nebhan.

Oman

Oasis of Bahla, 25 km west of Nazwa

N22 57 51.012 E57 18 3.996

Date of Inscription: 1987

Criteria: (iv)

Ref: 433

Source: http://whc.unesco.org