Archeological material of the Ministry’s internet site

Samad al-Shan Site:

Samad al-Shan is situated in the Sharqiyah region, 120 km to the south of Muscat. Archeological surveys were conducted in most of the Sultanate`s regions including Samad and Maysir. A German mission has conducted in cooperation with the Ministry some archeological excavations which focused on studying cooper and minerals production in the area. Some proofs of cooper and mining industry dating back to 5000 years were found.

In 1987 other surveys were conducted in Niyabat Samad al-Shan. This led to discovering several sites dating to ancient eras. 128 cemeteries built of the Wadi stones were found. Studies have shown that those 80 cm high cemeteries were dated to various periods as they consisted of some items dating to Um al-Nar- Wadi souq, Lazaq and Samad al-Shan periods. This was
discovered through carbon 14.

A cemetery from Samad al-Shan	Draw explains the way of burying at Samad al-Shan

Following the study of the sites it was concluded that 93% of men skeletons were found lying on their right side with the heads placed to the south. Men burial chambers were wider than those of women. Some bronze arrowheads, daggers, swords and pottery and stone jars and metal cups and a bronze small horse head were found.

In ladies cemeteries, women skeletons were found lying on the left side with the heads placed to the east. This reflect that the position and direction of the head has some connection with religion.

Ladies cemeteries contained burial related pottery bottles, pottery jars used for storing grains and an agate necklace and shell made rings.

In 1989 a cemetery dating back to the pre-Islam period was found. It contained a three year old camel which was buried on its left side with a glass, conch, stone and agate made necklace was hanging from it neck. After studying the beads, it was known that the camel dated to the late Iron age (Samad al-Shan). This camel was the first gender and era defined camel in the Arab Peninsula.