Monday, September 5, 2011

German Archaeological Expedition to the Mazun (today Sultanate of Oman)



During this time span annual archaeology excavations took place in Samad al Shan and al Maysar. Graves were excavated and one house. The graves were located in several cemeteries which contained the graves of the Wadi Suq, Lizq/Rumaylah and Samad Periods. The project centred on the Samad Culture which initially was believed to represent the "Parthian, Hellenistic, and Sasanian populations". A largely early medieval population came to light ranging from the year 0 (or earlier) to 900 AD.

Parallel to "Samad Project", tests were conducted at al Amqat and al Bustan for the Ministry. Samad graves were investigated al Amqat in the mountainous Sama`il Pass and in the drainage fan of al Bustan. On the strength of these two cemeteries and another at Bandar Jissa, the distribution of the Samad Culture became clearer. The graves at al Amqat and al Bustan were better preserved than at Samad/Maysar. Given the size of the sample excavated (five graves at al Amqat, eight at al Bustan) it is difficult to contrast the burial customs there with those of al Jawf, the heartland of the Samad Culture.

For more interesting topics related to archaeology, visit archaeology excavations.

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