Archeological material of the Ministry’s internet site

Ras al-Jinzz site:

It is located on the eastern side of Safran mountain, 300 m to the line facing the Indian Ocean. The site provides good source to study the trade contacts between Oman and the Indian sub- continent. The archeological excavations in the site were preceded by a general survey in 1981 which led to finding the archeological remains surrounding Ras al-Jinzz such as the settlement
sites which dated back to the Bronze era and a large number of cemeteries. The sedimentation of the coastal hill at the site was dated back to 4000 and 5000 BC. The pottery of Wadi Souq and pieces of the soft soap stone found at the site indicate the existence of settlement since the start of the second millennium BC.

The ministry has conducted several excavations which led to finding the following:
 

• A pinky piece of pottery engraved with lines relating to Indus valley civilization. This type of pottery is called (al-Haraban). It is one of the oldest carved out pottery to be found in Oman and this stresses the relation between Oman and India. This pottery piece was dated to 3000 BC and it may be dated to the last period of the Hamngodar in India.
   

• Red pottery with dark lines and drawings was also found. It is one of the best types of pottery used in the areas overlooking the Arabian sea. Some burnished pottery dating back to the Islamic Sasanic period, East African pottery and Chinese porcelain was also found in the site.
   

• Other findings included chisels used in producing small beads, hammers, stone weights of nets, shell made ornaments such as rings, necklaces, conch, various types of beads such as red garnet, azurite, read porcelain which dated back to the 18th century BC, this is in addition to the remains of fish , turtles and shark bones.
   

• Buildings found included one built of bricks and divided into several rectangular rooms which are believed to be used for storing. A workshop for firestone trimming was also found. The workshop was used for production of shell made ornaments such rings, beads and necklaces. Houses were built of bricks and it was a unique method as Ras al-Jinzz was the only settlement which used the bricks during the Bronze era in Oman and the surrounding areas such as Southern Iran, Balushistan and Wadi al-Sind. Thus the Inhabitants of Ras al-Jinzz who lived during the 3000 BC are considered as pioneers in using the bricks which continued to be used in construction for more than 1500 years in the Gulf of Oman.
   

• Regarding the style of constructing cemeteries across times at Ras al-Jinzz, the entrance has swerved slightly from the eastern south direction to the southern direction and the number of burial chambers was increased which proves that the cemetery was used more than once. Excavations are still underway at the site to disclose more facts and proofs which shed light on that trade relation.
   

• Three stamps, one of them was a square cooper made dating back to (2350 – 2500 BC) and two made of the soft soap stone with three unknown letters written on each. They were dated back to 2200 BC.

Excavation sites at Ras al-Jinzz
Al-Haraban pottery	Censer made of limestone	Comb made of Ivory