Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn archaeological sites, Archaeological complex in Al Dhahira region, Oman
This archaeological complex comprises three connected sites in the desert region of Al Dhahira that hold the remains of more than 100 burial grounds and circular structures. Excavations reveal settlements that were home to people for thousands of years.
Settlement in this region began in the Bronze Age and continued for more than 4000 years, showing that people lived here for an exceptionally long time. Archaeological study starting in the 1970s uncovered the remains and helped explain how these ancient people lived.
The excavated objects show signs of trade routes that connected people across vast distances in ancient times. Visitors can see the skill and care that went into making the tools and pottery found here.
The sites sit in open desert terrain and are best visited during cooler months when heat is manageable. Bring plenty of water and sun protection, and be prepared for uneven ground and sparse shade.
The round burial structures, called beehive tombs, are aligned with celestial bodies in ways that show the builders understood the stars. These precise alignments are uncommon in monuments of that era and reveal how important the sky was to the people who lived here.
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