The First International Conference on the Archaeology of the Omani Peninsula commenced at Sultan Qaboos University, with the participation of approximately 100 scholars, researchers and specialists in archaeology from within the Sultanate of Oman and abroad. Sixty researchers and academics are presenting their scientific papers across six main thematic axes. The conference will continue until 3 February.
The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of His Excellency Sayyid Ibrahim bin Said Al-Busaidi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, with the presence of His Highness Sayyid Dr. Fahd bin Al Julanda Al Said, the Vice-Chancellor, and a number of Their Excellencies and senior officials from both the public and private sectors. The conference is organised in partnership between the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and Sultan Qaboos University to mark the golden jubilee of the Journal of Omani Studies, celebrating 50 years since its establishment (1975–2025). The conference aims to provide a scholarly platform for dialogue and the exchange of expertise, to discuss contemporary issues in archaeological research, site management and heritage protection, and to explore prospects for scientific cooperation, thereby contributing to the development of a solid knowledge base that supports heritage preservation and cultural development.
In his welcoming address, His Excellency Engineer Ibrahim bin Said Al-Kharousi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Heritage, affirmed that the Sultanate of Oman is a land deeply rooted in history and a living witness to human and civilisational interaction across the ages. He noted that archaeological discoveries constitute tangible evidence reflecting patterns of human life and humanity’s interaction with its environment over thousands of years.
He explained that archaeological findings in the Sultanate of Oman have demonstrated the greatness of ancient Omani civilisation and its vital role in networks of commercial and cultural exchange among the civilisations of the ancient world, owing to its strategic geographical location and its rich maritime and overland heritage. Oman served as a vital link between the civilisations of Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley and East Africa. He also referred to the beginnings of systematic archaeological research in the 1950s, which later developed institutionally with the establishment of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, contributing to the organisation of survey and excavation activities and the protection of archaeological sites.
He highlighted some of the most prominent archaeological sites dating back to the third millennium BCE, such as Bat, Al-Khutm, Al-Ayn, the Hafit tombs and copper smelting sites, which reflect Oman’s historical significance as a major centre for copper mining and export in the ancient world, known as “Magan”. He further noted that recent archaeological discoveries have revealed sites spanning from the Neolithic period through the Bronze and Iron Ages to the Islamic periods, confirming the continuity of human settlement in Oman over millennia.
He also pointed to the inscription of several Omani sites of outstanding universal value on the UNESCO World Heritage List, including Bahla Fort, the sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn, the Land of Frankincense, and the historic city of Qalhat.
For his part, Professor Nasser Al-Jahwari, Chair of the Conference Organising Committee, stated that the convening of the conference as a specialised international academic event reflects the civilisational importance of the region. He noted that the conference seeks to reinforce Oman’s position as a hub for scholarly dialogue in the fields of archaeology and heritage and to strengthen research partnerships. He also highlighted the development of the Journal of Omani Studies through its transformation into an open-access journal in collaboration with the international publisher Archaeopress, and efforts to index it in international academic databases.
Meanwhile, Sultan bin Saif Al-Bakri from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Supervisor of the Archaeological Missions Programme and Heritage Publications, emphasised that the launch of the Journal of Omani Studies website represents a strategic step in keeping pace with digital transformation in academic publishing and expanding access to knowledge. He affirmed the journal’s commitment to the highest standards of peer review and open-access publishing, contributing to the support of researchers and enhancing the international presence of Omani scholarship.
The conference featured Professor Muawiya Ibrahim Yusuf as a keynote speaker, who stressed the importance of archaeological studies in understanding the development of human societies and underscored the pivotal role of the Sultanate of Oman in connecting civilisations throughout history.
The opening programme included the screening of a documentary film marking the golden jubilee of the Journal of Omani Studies, the launch of a commemorative postage stamp in cooperation with Oman Post, and the inauguration of the journal’s website in collaboration with Archaeopress in Oxford. The programme also featured the opening of the accompanying exhibition, which includes photographs and archaeological artefacts, a historical timeline of Oman, and informational sections representing the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultan Qaboos University, and the Department of Archaeology at the College of Arts and Social Sciences.
The first day of the conference comprised six specialised scientific sessions, during which research papers were presented and discussed on topics including prehistory, the Stone and Iron Ages, palaeoenvironmental studies, human settlement, tool-making industries, coastal archaeological heritage, and archaeological sites in the Sultanate of Oman and the south-eastern Arabian Peninsula.