Stratigraphy, palaeoclimatic context and fossils of the Southern Rub Al Khali (the Empty Quarter): results of a geo-archaeological survey around the area of Maitan in the Sultanate of Oman

ABSTRACT

Here we summarise the geological work conducted in the desert village of Maitan, in South of Oman, during a geological and archaeological survey. The region is dominated by extensive, tall linear dunes overlying an incised Eocene marine limestone plateau. Above the limestone plateau, the interdunal areas expose various recent deposits including palaeo-regolith and epikarst deposits, fluvial conglomerates, gypsum «playa-like» deposits, aeolianites, semi-consolidated dunes, sand and silt with gypsum-roses, calcareous tufa and loose sand. The sediments indicate the prevalence of largely arid and hyper-arid conditions, with brief intervals of relatively humid conditions, during which humans and their livestock probably inhabited the region. The presence of abundant millstones, grindstones and pestles and mortars, along with fossilised animal bones, beads and other ornaments, scrapers, blades and other instruments, speaks for prolonged occupation of the area. The survey revealed the presence of Late Palaeolithic, Middle and Late Neolithic sites. The discovery of this new archaeological area provides extraordinary information about the middle Holocene peopling of this region, about which little was previously known. Comparisons with known sites in the Rub Al Khali desert show an incredibly high presence of living and moving human populations in an area which now seems so inhospitable.

KEYWORDS:

• Oman
• Rub Al Khali
• Late Palaeolithic
• Neolithic sites
• Holocene
• fossilised animal bones

Acknowledgments

We are sincerely thankful for the unlimited support and guidance from the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, represented by:

• H.E. Salim Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary for Heritage Affairs.

• Mr Sultan Al Bakri, director of the Department of Excavation & Archaeological Studies.

• Mr Ali Al Mahri, Directorate of Dhofar

• Mrs. Raiya Al Kindi, Assistant Director General, Museums Department.

• Mrs Sumia Al Busaidi, Department of Excavation & Archaeological Studies.

We thank the archaeological team that accompanied us in this trip for their very productive discussions: Maria Pia Maiorano, Vincent Charpentier, Jérémie Vosges, Grégor Marchand and Federico Borgi. We are also very grateful to the great support provided by the people of Maitan throughout the survey period. We would like to specifically thank Said Al Huraizi for guiding us to many important locations in the area of interest.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.