Frankincense Land in Dhofar (World Heritage)
The incense trees of Wadi Dawkah and the archaeological sites of the incense trade in the Dhofar region are impressive testimonies to the ancient and medieval incense trade. These include the Shisr Oasis and the ports of Khor Rori and Al-Balad. The internationally coveted frankincense was of outstanding economic importance for the places. According to COUNTRYAAH, Oman is a country that starts with letter O.
Frankincense Land in Dhofar: Facts
| Official title: | Incense trees of Wadi Dawkah and sites of the incense trade in Dhofar |
| Cultural monument: | Incense trees of Wadi Dawkah and the archeological sites of the incense trade: Shisr caravan oasis, ports of Khor Rori and al-Balid; For centuries, the frankincense trade was one of the most important trading activities of the ancient and medieval world |
| Continent: | Asia |
| Country: | Oman |
| Location: | Dhofar region |
| Appointment: | 2000 |
| Meaning: | Impressive testimony to the heyday of the frankincense trade as well as a remarkable example of medieval Arab city architecture |
Aflaj irrigation system (World Heritage)
The Aflaj irrigation system has crossed the country with thousands of canals for more than 2500 years. The water is above ground, e.g. Sometimes also underground, from the springs for miles to the fields and cities. Behind this is a sophisticated system with viaducts and tunnels, with distribution points and basins, without which life in the arid desert country would not be possible.
Water point in Wadi Shab in Oman
The area in the north of the Sultanate of Oman has five irrigation systems, examples of which are at least 1,500 years old, and probably as far back as 2500 BC. Are still intact today.
Aflaj irrigation system in Oman
The approx. 3,000 channels of the Aflaj system for the water supply of villages and towns are routed over 10 km long, above ground and underground, through tunnels and over viaducts with complex branches.
Aflaj irrigation system: facts
| Official title: | Aflaj irrigation system |
| Cultural monument: | Five irrigation systems for the production and provision of drinking and agricultural water in the desert areas north and south of the Omani Mountains; Examples of an at least 1500 years old, probably even to the time 2500 BC. System dating back to the 4th century BC, which is still intact today; approx. 3000 canals for the water supply of villages and towns (»Aflaj«, plural of »Falaj«, »distribute«); in some cases over ten kilometers long, above ground and underground through tunnels and viaducts, water pipes with complex branches; Extraordinary realization of artificial irrigation without pumps and lifting technology using only gravity |
| Continent: | Asia |
| Country: | Oman |
| Location: | Areas of Dakhiliya, Sharqiya and Batinah in the north of the Sultanate of Oman |
| Appointment: | 2006 |
| Meaning: | Unique and well-preserved evidence of human land use under unfavorable climatic conditions; Example of an attempt at a socially appropriate distribution of a scarce valuable good; outstanding, early technical achievement for water extraction and distribution, still in use today |
Qalhat Ancient City (World Heritage)
Qalhat Ancient City (World Heritage)
The settlement founded in the second century AD is located on the east coast of Oman. In the Middle Ages, Qalhat developed into a pulsating port city and an important center of Arab long-distance trade, of whose splendor and magnificence Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo also reported.
A devastating earthquake at the end of the 14th century and the Portuguese invasion in 1508 left little of it. In addition to some vaults and remnants of the once mighty city wall, only the mausoleum of Bibi Maryam remains. It is not clear whether the tomb was built for the wife of the ruler of Hormuz, Baha ad-Din Ayaz, or Bibi Maryam had it built for her husband.
Qalhat Ancient City: Facts
| Official title: | Qalhat ancient city |
| Cultural monument: | ancient ruins with vaulted buildings and remains of the city wall as well as the mausoleum that lies outside the walls |
| Continent: | Asia |
| Country: | Oman |
| Location: | Gulf of Oman, near the city of Sur |
| Appointment: | 2018 |
| Meaning: | archaeological evidence of trade between the east coast of Arabia, East Africa and India to China and Southeast Asia |
