An Archaeological Study Tour
Oman with an optional 6-day
United Arab Emirate extension
November 5 – 17, 2012
13 Days
Led by Prof. Moawiyah M. Ibrahim, Al-Isra University, Amman, Jordan
Oman, steeped in history and tradition, is one of the most fascinating and beautiful countries of the Arabian Peninsula. From as early as 5000 BCE the region played a major role in the development of the ancient civilizations of western Asia, while its own numerous civilizations have left a rich and varied archaeological legacy. Beginning in the intriguing capital of Muscat, we will visit several of the many incredibly well-preserved and imposing fortresses that dot the country and discover the splendid variety of architecture and building types that the country has to offer. We will visit the historic inland walled town of Nizwa, strategically situated at the end of Sumail Pass, and stop at the ancient town of Qalhat, founded by the Persians in the 2nd century and visited by Ibn Battuta, before traveling south to visit the many historic sites around Salalah. Tour highlights include the famous Bat tombs of the Umm an-Nar period; the ancient lost city of Ubar, whose riches were founded on the frankincense trade coming north from Dhofar; and the fabulous pre-Islamic port city of Sumhuram, founded by the rulers of Shabwah. Rugged mountains, vast sandy deserts and lush wadis of springs and palm groves make for a superb diversity of scenery. Our tour ends with a five day visit to three of the United Arab Emerites, each unique in its style and historic monuments.
Monday,
Tuesday, November 5 & 6: MUSCAT: Independent
departures from our home cities on Monday arriving into
Muscat on Tuesday. This evening we
meet with Professor Ibrahim for an opening lecture followed
by dinner. Grand Hyatt Hotel
Muscat.
Meals: Dinner
Wednesday,
November 7: MUSCAT: Our touring begins with
a drive along the Mutrah Corniche to
view the residence of the sultan, Al Alam Palace,
flanked by two magnificent Portuguese forts guarding
the bay. We will visit the Oman National Museum
and the charming Bait al Zubair, a
private museum housing traditional Omani items reflecting
the country’s rich heritage. The day ends at Baushar,
an important Iron Age site with fine examples of late
Lizq and early Samad period honeycomb tombs.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Thursday,
November 8: JABEL SHAM: We leave Muscat in
our 4-wheel-drive vehicles, stopping first to visit
the splendid pre-Islamic fort at Nakhl.
Occupying an area of 36,597 square feet, its interior
is a maze of carpet and cushion-covered rooms. Continuing
through date palm oases, we view the fort of
Rustaq from the outside. Built over a spring,
Rustaq fort is thought to have been founded by the Persians
in the pre-Islamic period. We continue to Al-Ayn
to visit Bat. Here beehive tombs, tower
forts and large freestanding communal graves have been
linked to the Umm an-Nar (2500-2000
BCE) culture. We will spend the night in the View
Camp, a very comfortable tented camp, each
tent having its own bathroom.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Friday, November 9: NIZWA: Today’s touring begins at Has’t bin Sult, a 20-foot rock covered with engravings of men, women and children. After hearing some of the folklore related to this site, we continue to the charming old town of Al Hamra, to walk among the old mud houses, one of which is thought to be 400 years old, and to Misfah, one of the most picturesque villages in Oman. We will tour the interior of Jabrin Castle, an excellent example of Omani residential architecture, and view the huge fort at Bahla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from the outside. This spectacular building is surrounded by 7.5 miles of mud-brick walls. Falaj Daris Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Saturday,
November 10: NIZWA: Touring begins with
Nizwa souk and round tower fort as well as
its famous falaj (ancient irrigation system). We then
drive north via Sumail Pass to Samali
to examine its falaj and mosque. We will visit nearby
Akdar, where weavers still use the
traditional methods of dyeing and pit weaving, continue
to Samad, a fascinating oasis town
famed for its seven watchtowers, and lastly to the beautiful
little mosque at Manal.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Sunday, November 11: SUR: This exciting day will take us via Al Mudayrib, stopping to see its city gate and some of its beautiful old carved doors, into Wahiba Sands. The dune system of this immense desert is believed to have existed before the last pluvial period in Arabia around 4,000-6,000 years ago and houses hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. As we drive among the dunes, soaring 200-260 feet, we will encounter some of the Bedouin who live here, herding their sheep, goats and camels. After lunch in Al Qabil, we continue to Sur. This evening we will offer an opportunity to visit the the Raz al Hadd Turtle Reserve. Sur Plaza Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Monday, November 12: MUSCAT: After visiting the dhow port in Sur, we travel north to Muscat, stopping at the ruins of the Bibi Miriam shrine, once described by Ibn Battuta as one of the most beautiful mosques he had ever seen. We will travel through Wadi Tiwi and small fishing villages ending our day at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Muscat.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Tuesday, November 13: SALALAH: A spectacular flight over the Wahiba Sands brings us to Salalah, in the southern province of Dhofar. After visiting the Salalah Museum, we will tour the ancient city of Dhofar (Al-Baleed). We will explore Old Salalah and some of the natural wonders in the area. Our three-night stay will be at the deluxe Hilton Salalah Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Wednesday, November 14: SALALAH: We drive into the Jebel Qara escarpment to Job’s Tomb, sacred to Muslims as the burial site of the patriarch. We continue into the “empty quarter” to Hanun, site of an ancient storehouse for frankincense and a small temple dedicated to the moon god Sin, placing this site as an important transit point en route to Cana and Shabwah. Finally, we reach the lost city of Ubar, described as a major city on the incense route, with imposing architecture, vast orchards and fabulous wealth. Excavations continue to reveal walls and foundations of the city.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Thursday, November 15: SALALAH: Our full day of touring begins at the pre-Islamic port of Sumhuram, founded by the rulers of Shabwah. Beautifully situated on the banks of the Khor Rawri, it is currently being excavated by an Italian team. We will visit the picturesque town of Mirbat and explore Wadi Darbat, known to house prehistoric paintings in some of its caves. This evening we will gather for our farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Friday, Saturday, November 16 & 17: MUSCAT: This morning we fly back to Muscat and transfer to the Grand Hyatt Hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Saturday we transfer to the airport for our flights home.
Meals: Breakfast
Optional United Arab Emirate Extension
Friday, November 16: ABU DHABI: We fly back to Muscat and transfer by bus to Abu Dhabi, capitalof the UAE. Millennium Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Saturday, Sunday, November 17 & 18: ABU DHABI: Saturday’s touring will include the major sites of modern Abu Dhabai. On Sunday we will spend the full day visiting Al-Ain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Touring begins at the Hili Archaeological Park, which consists of tombs and a settlement from the Umm Al Nar period (2700-2000 BCE). We then continue to the Al-Ain Museum, which houses both an ethnographic and archaeological collection, the Sultan bin Zayed Fort and the former palace of Sheikh Zayed. We will explore the oasis, camel souk and drive to the top of Jebel Hafeet for the view before returning to Abu Dhabi.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & 1 dinner
Monday, November 19: DUBAI: This morning we drive to Dubai and the Hotel Amwaj Rotana at Jumeirah Beach. Our touring in Dubai begins in Al Bastakiya, an area of traditional houses. We will stop for lunch at the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding housed in a traditional wind tower house. Touring continues at the Dubai Museum located in Al Fahidi Fort. We then stroll through the old souk before crossing the creek by Abra (water taxi). After visiting the spice and gold souk, we end today’s touring at the Al Ahmadiya School, Dubai’s first school established in 1912. This evening our dinner will be on board a traditional dhow.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Tuesday, November 20 : DUBAI: A short drive brings us to Sharjah, the most conservative of the seven Emirates, designated by UNESCO as the Cultural Capital of the Arab World. Sharjah boasts of an excellent Archaeological Museum, a beautifully preserved old town and Museum of Islamic Civilization as well as impressive art galleries. We will also visit several archaeological sites including a large 3rd to 1st century BCE settlement at Mleiha. After completing our touring, we return to Dubai stopping en route at the large Sufouh Circular Umm an-Nar-type tomb.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Wednesday, Thursday, November 21 & 22: DUBAI: We complete our touring of Dubai this morning including the newly developed districts of Dubai to view the fabulous architecture of the city. The afternoon will be at leisure. Dinner will include the lovely show at the Dubai Fountain. Thursday we will transfer to the airport for our flights home.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner |
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