Southern Oman Research Articles

The port of Al Baleed (southern Oman), the trade in franckincense and its coveted treasures

Medieval times as Zafar. Placed in a strategic position for its geographical location, climate, availability of water and abundance of fodder, its long history dates back to the Bronze Age. The settlement reached its peak in Mediaeval times when it was a (a hub?) of international trade along the Indian Ocean. Many commodities were exported from the region or passed through the port. Among them a number of regional products such as: myrrh, dragon’s blood, aloe and madder, the most important being, however, frankincense and Arabian horses. Frankincense trade in Mediaeval times is barely studied despite its importance and great incomes generated by this trade during the period. The paper will present a general overview of the site of Al Baleed and its importance in the trade of frankincense, mainly in relation with the Far-eastern market with an overview of the coveted treasures from the region of Dhofar.

ASTER mapping of gypsum deposits of Thumrait region of southern Oman

AbstractThis study demonstrates the use of ASTER data for the mapping of gypsum deposits and associated geological formations that occurred in the Thumrait region of southern Oman. The measurement of spectra over samples of gypsum in the 1,300–2,500 nm wavelength using a PIMA spectrometer showed the presence of distinct absorptions at 1400–1600, 1750, 1940, 2,100, and 2,400 nm characteristics to OH stretching, H2O combinations, and SO bending overtones and stretching, respectively. Studying the unique spectral absorption characters of gypsum samples, we developed a false color composite (FCC) and an image by decorrelation stretch using the spectral bands 7, 3, and 2 of ASTER. The results FCC showed the regions of gypsum occurrences, and the decorrelated image discriminated the gypsum occurrences from other geological formations of the area. The study of surface mineralogy of the region using the VNIR‐SWIR bands by the spectral angle mapper method showed the presence of sulfate, carbonate, and clay minerals of the geological formations in the study area. We compared the results of ASTER with the results obtained using spectral bands 12, 8, and 4 of Sentinel‐2A processed by the same methods. The study showed that the spectral bands of ASTER can be used for mapping the gypsum and associated geological formations.

A Review of C4 Plants in Southwest Asia: An Ecological, Geographical and Taxonomical Analysis of a Region With High Diversity of C4 Eudicots.

Southwest Asia is climatically and topographically a highly diverse region in the xeric belt of the Old World. Its diversity of arid habitats and climatic conditions acted as an important area for the evolution and diversification of up to 20 (of 38 known) independent Eudicot C4 origins. Some of these lineages present unique evolutionary strategies like single-cell functioning C4 and C3–C4 switching mechanisms. The high diversity of C4 taxa in Southwest (SW) Asia is also related to the presence of seven phytogeographic zones including the Irano-Turanian region as a center of diversification of many Caryophyllales lineages and the Somali-Masai region (Southern Oman and Yemen) as a center of diversification for C4 Monocots. Nevertheless, the C4 flora of SW Asia has not received detailed attention. This paper presents a comprehensive review of all known C4 species in the area based on a literature survey, own floristic observations, as well as taxonomic, phylogenetic and herbarium data, and δ13C-isotope ratio analysis. The resulting checklist includes a total number of 923 (861 native, of which 141 endemic, and 62 introduced) C4 species, composed of 350 Eudicots and 509 Monocots, most of which are therophytic and hemicryptophytic xerophytes with pluriregional and Irano-Turanian distribution. Two hundred thirty-nine new δ13C-isotope ratios of C4 and C3 plants, as well as some taxonomic changes are presented. An analysis of the distribution of the three main C4 plant families (Chenopodiaceae, Poaceae, and Cyperaceae) in the region in relation to climatic variables indicates that the increase of C4 species follows more or less a latitudinal gradient similar to global patterns, while separate taxonomic groups seem to depend on specific factors as continentality (Chenopodiaceae), average annual temperature (Cyperaceae), and the presence of summer precipitation (Poaceae). An increase of C4 Eudicots in W-E direction even in similar longitudinal belts is explained by a combination of edaphic and climatic conditions. The provided data should encourage a deeper interest in the evolution of C4 lineages in SW Asia and their adaptation to ecological and climatical conditions and awaken interest in the importance of local C4 crops, the conservation of threatened C4 taxa, and awareness of human impacts on the rapid environmental changes in the region.

Wind turbine performance analysis for energy cost minimization

The use of wind energy worldwide has overgrown in recent years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Wind power is free, but the installation and maintenance of wind turbines remain very costly. The size of the installation of the wind turbine is not only determined by wind statistics at a given location, but also by turbine infrastructure and maintenance costs. The payback time of the turbine is dependent on turbine energy costs. This study estimates the wind power generation capacity of Northern and Southern Oman and discusses the selection of the most economical, efficient and reliable wind turbines in Oman. HOMER Pro Software was used in this paper to evaluate the wind energy data in the north and south of Oman and to provide well-informed guidance on the most suitable turbines for the power needs of each area. Six different standard wind turbines were measured and compared in terms of the cost of energy and performance. The simulation analysis reveals that the DW54 turbine is the best possible turbine to generate electricity in northern Oman at $0.119/kW. Due to the difference in the wind regime between the north and the south of Oman, the simulation showed that the Hummer H25.0–200 kW turbine is the best option for south Oman with power generation at $0.070/kW. The northern wind turbine plant can efficiently contribute to decarbonization of the energy sector in Oman, with a potential reduction of CO2 emission approximately 19,000 tons/year in comparison to natural gas and 28,000 tons/year in comparison to diesel. In the Southern Power Plant, carbon emissions are reduced by 18,000 and 12,000 tons/year compared to diesel and natural gas.

Indian Ocean trade connections: characterization and commercial routes of torpedo jars

During the Classical Period (300 BC–400 AD), the Indian Ocean emerged as one of the largest hubs of ancient international trade. For a long period, these contacts were described from a Rome-centric point of view, looking at the connections between Rome and India. However, recent studies have demonstrated that the Roman-Indo connection was only one of the vast medium and short distance trade routes involving numerous regions and populations, exchanging goods and culture. Current archaeological investigations have demonstrated that several minor trade dynamics formed the primary connective tissue of the Indian Ocean. This study attempts to trace these mid-range connections by focusing on the transport of torpedo jars, recently found in several settlements throughout the Indian Ocean. Two archaeological sites were considered: Al Hamr al-Sharqiya 1 (Inqitat, southern Oman), and the port of Alagankulam (southern India). An analytical protocol based on thin sections analysis, SEM–EDS, XRD and GC/MS was applied to a selection of fragments from the two archaeological sites. The analytical investigation carried out on these vessels identified three different ceramic compositions, which distributed differently in the two sites, characterized by a black coating due to a similar bitumen source. The location of the production sites and comparative studies between these vessels and reference materials available in the literature enabled us to cast new light on the routes followed by the torpedo jars, from Mesopotamia to India and Oman.

Myringotomy with versus without grommet tube insertion in chronic serous otitis media with effusion : Southern Oman experience

Objective: Otitis media with effusion (OME) can lead to hearing loss and delayed speech. Adenoidectomy with myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion are used in the management of OME. This study aimed to compare outcomes of myringotomy with versus without grommet tube insertion in children with OME in Southern Oman.Patients and Methods: A prospective randomized study of 74 patients with serous OME, divided into 2 equal groups, was conducted over 2 years. Group A patients underwent adenoidectomy with myringotomy and grommet tube insertion, while only adenoidectomy and myringotomy were performed on patients in group B. Average age, gender, preoperative hearing loss and postoperative hearing gain, tympanometry 9 months after the operation, and incidence of otorrhoea and myringosclerosis were compared.Results: All the parameters showed a nonsignificant statistical difference. Otorrhoea and myringosclerosis incidence was higher in group A, with a significant statistical difference.Conclusion: Myringotomy alone showed favourable results with fewer complications in treatment of serous OME

Impact of Forest Cover Change on Available Water Resources: Long-Term Forest Cover Dynamics of the Semi-Arid Dhofar Cloud Forest, Oman

Forest cover dynamics are an important indicator for climate change as well as for land conversion studies. Based on an analysis of 30 years of Landsat data a forest cover time series was generated and analyzed for the Dhofar mountains in Oman. The Dhofar mountains in Southern Oman with its semi-arid cloud forest is an important asset for livestock, water resources, and tourism. In this study we investigated whether forest cover trends are distinguishable and what impact forest cover changes have on water availability. To cope with gaps in the Landsat dataset the Dhofar mountains were divided into regions of interest (ROIs) that were based on hydrologic catchment boundaries. The results show, that, despite increasing pressure from tourism and increasing livestock numbers, the forest cover shows slight but not significant increases in most ROIs and significant forest cover increases in three ROIs. Overall, forest cover during the past 30 years is at least stable and most probably slightly increasing. With regard to water resources results show that, the impact of cloud forest interception amounts to an additional subcanopy water input of about 15 to 150 % of annual rainfall. This additional water is only available below tree cover. Part of that water is, of course used by plant transpiration, however, the stemflow portion which is exceptionally high in this region infiltrates directly into deeper soil layers and eventually leads to groundwater recharge.

Some Reflections on the Ancient Metallurgy of Sumhuram (Sultanate of Oman)

Abstract Multidisciplinary research on the metallurgy-related items and features from the ancient South Arabian harbour of Sumhuram, in southern Oman, have shed light on ancient copper and iron production and use at the site, pointing out what appears to be a definitely unusual practice in particular for what concerns copper alloying. In this paper, the archaeometallurgical data are summarised and discussed with the aim of showing that the existence of a copper working tradition specific to South Arabian centres can be tentatively postulated and that at least two different networks of metal production and exchange probably existed, centred on the opposite sides of the southern Arabian Peninsula.

STUDIES IN THE FLORA OF ARABIA: XXXIV. SIXTY NEW RECORDS FROM THE SULTANATE OF OMAN

Sixty new or updated records of plants species are reported from the Sultanate of Oman, as a result of fieldwork and research undertaken. Five taxa represent new records for Arabia, twenty-seven taxa are new records for Oman, and twenty-eight records represent an extended distribution within Oman. Some previously doubtful records are confirmed. Brief comments are given on the phytogeography, taxonomy and ecology of the taxa. Most new records have been collected in mountainous areas, either in southern Oman or in northern Oman, mainly in areas that previously were botanically poorly known.

Timing of Magnetite Growth Associated With Peridotite‐Hosted Carbonate Veins in the SE Samail Ophiolite, Wadi Fins, Oman

AbstractCarbonate‐altered peridotite are common in continental and oceanic settings and it has been suggested that peridotite‐hosted carbonate represent a significant component of the carbon‐cycle and provide an important link in the CO2 dynamics between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. The ability to constrain the timing of carbonate and accessory phase growth is key to interpreting the mechanisms that contribute to carbonate alteration, veining, and mineralization in ultramafic rocks. Here we examine a mantle section of the Samail ophiolite exposed in Wadi Fins in southeastern Oman where the peridotite is unconformably overlain by Late Cretaceous‐Paleogene limestone and crosscut by an extensive network of carbonate veins and fracture‐controlled alteration. Three previous 87Sr/86Sr measurements on carbonate vein material in the peridotite produce results consistent with vein formation involving Cretaceous to Eocene seawater (de Obeso & Kelemen, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2018.0433). We employ (U‐Th)/He chronometry to constrain the timing of hydrothermal magnetite in the calcite veins in the peridotite. Magnetite (U‐Th)/He ages of crystal sizes ranging from 1 cm to 200 μm record Miocene growth at 15 ± 4 Ma, which may indicate (1) fluid–rock interaction and carbonate precipitation in the Miocene, or (2) magnetite (re)crystallization within pre‐existing veins. Taken together with published Sr‐isotope values, these results suggest that carbonate veining at Wadi Fins started as early as the Cretaceous, and continued in the Miocene associated with magnetite growth. The timing of hydrothermal magnetite growth is coeval with Neogene shortening and faulting in southern Oman, which points to a tectonic driver for vein (re)opening and fluid‐rock alteration.

Tectonic Evolution of the Northern Oman Mountains, Part of the Strait of Hormuz Syntaxis: New Structural and Paleothermal Analyses and U‐Pb Dating of Synkinematic Calcite

AbstractThe Oman Mountains expose Permo‐Mesozoic shelf rocks of Arabia overridden by continental slope/basinal sediments and Semail Ophiolites during Late Cretaceous. A major syntaxis is represented by the Musandam Peninsula and Dibba Zone. The overthrusting of allochthonous units onto the Musandam shelf carbonates initiated during the Cenomanian. Structural analyses in the Musandam Peninsula constrained top‐to‐the‐west thrusting that took place 74–60 Ma ago (U‐Pb datings of synkinematic calcites), about 15–30 Ma after the obduction of the Semail Ophiolite. The Dibba faults exhibit a first interval of thrusting (top‐to‐the‐west) followed by dextral slip. We propose that SW vergent thrusts, initially parallel to those of the Central and Southern Oman Mountains, were subsequently rotated to their present‐day NE‐SW strike during the development of the syntaxis and then reactivated by dextral slip. Mixed layers illite‐smectite (I‐S) constrain the thermal evolution of the passive margin sequence and of the allochthonous deep‐water sediments. In particular, the proximal Hawasina unit (Hamrat Duru) and Sumeini groups of the Dibba Zone are characterized by long‐range ordered mixed layers I‐S with an illite content of 90–95%, whereas Musandam carbonate units show mixed layers I‐S with illite layers ranging from 80–90%, indicating deep diagenetic conditions. Such levels of thermal maturity were acquired during the Late Cretaceous emplacement of a 3.5‐km‐thick pile of allochthonous units, which were removed by erosion and denudation since the Campanian. U‐Pb dating of synkinematic calcite vein highlights reactivation of thrusts at 13.2 Ma, likely due to the involvement of the Musandam area in the Arabia‐Eurasia collision.

Kinship and a counter‐hegemonic social order: former revolutionaries in southern Oman

AbstractCritical reinterpretations of kinship studies questioned earlier ideas that kinship relations reflect and reproduce a dominant social order. ‘New’ kinship studies have nevertheless shown how even non‐traditional family forms can reproduce traditional ideas about relatedness, values, and social hierarchies. Promising grounds for resisting ongoing tendencies to link kinship with conservative social reproduction arise from better understanding the circumstances under which kinship relations reproduce a counter‐hegemonic social order. Kinship practices of former militants of a defeated revolutionary liberation movement in Dhufar, Oman, make visible veterans’ networks and relations which transgress dominant tribal, ethnic, racial, and gendered hierarchies. These practices show how, even in inauspicious circumstances of political defeat and marginalization, kinship relations can reproduce a counter‐hegemonic social order – as well as a social afterlife of defeated revolution.

Performance Assessment of ERA5 Wave Data in a Swell Dominated Region

The present paper deals with a performance assessment of the ERA5 wave dataset in an ocean basin where local wind waves superimpose on swell waves. The evaluation framework relies on observed wave data collected during a coastal experimental campaign carried out offshore of the southern Oman coast in the Western Arabian Sea. The applied procedure requires a detailed investigation on the observed waves, and aims at classifying wave regimes: observed wave spectra have been split using a 2D partition scheme and wave characteristics have been evaluated for each wave component. Once the wave climate was defined, a detailed wave model assessment was performed. The results revealed that during the analyzed time span the ERA5 wave model overestimates the swell wave heights, whereas the wind waves’ height prediction is highly influenced by the wave developing conditions. The collected field dataset is also useful for a discussion on spectral wave characteristics during monsoon and post-monsoon season in the examined region; the recorded wave data do not suffice yet to adequately describe wave fields generated by the interaction of monsoon and local winds.

Food plants in pollen records from ancient Southern Arabia: The evidences from Sumhuram (Southern Oman)

Archaeological excavations of the ancient city of Sumhuram (2nd century BC- 5th century AD), a port along the frankincense trade route in Dhofar, Southern Oman, offered the chance to gain new insights into the diet of the inhabitants. In spite of the mainly sandy nature of the sediments in the site, which does not favour good preservation of plant materials, pollen analyses and sporadic findings of starch grains, seeds and fruits allowed evidence of food plants to be gathered. Pollen and starch grains of cereals at Sumhuram attested to the consumption of major crops, like wheat and barley, as well as minor crops, such as the millets. Cereal pollen from a pit in the city helped strengthen the archaeological interpretation of this structure as foodstuff storage. Both date palm pollen and stones recovered in two rooms testified to the use of this plant, largely diffused in Arabia. Even though the provenance of these foodstuffs remains dubious - they could have been locally cultivated/gathered or imported from other territories - the outcome of our Modern Analogues study in wadi estuaries enabled us to attribute varying origins to pollen sources in the past record.

オマーンオフィオライト南部Wadi Tayin岩体マントルセクションの岩石学的研究 －特に島弧火成活動の影響について－

オマーンオフィオライト南部Wadi Tayin岩体マントルセクションの岩石学的研究 －特に島弧火成活動の影響について－

Jebel Kareem (TH.68): Techno‐typological characteristics of a distinctive lithic assemblage from Dhofar, southern Oman

The lithic sample from TH.68 in Southern Oman is characterised by a set of techno‐typological features: (a) the variety of blank production strategies employed to produce flakes, blades and bladelets; (b) the level of standardisation of tools, including backed bladelets, end scrapers, burins on truncation, unifacial and bifacial plano‐convex points, etc.; and (c) a previously unknown technique that produced specific flakes presenting uniform morphological traits and high incidence of retouch. Here a comprehensive account of the lithic production systems employed by prehistoric human bands and the formal retouched tools that they made is provided.

An Ethnographic Discussion of Fairy Tales and Folktales from Southern Oman

Zusammenfassung Das Anliegen dieses Aufsatzes ist es, eine Sammlung von Märchen und populären Erzählungen aus dem südlichen Oman vorzustellen, um zu zeigen, dass viele der historischen materiellen und kulturellen Setzungen heute noch Bestand haben. Die Erzählungen wurden in den 1970er Jahren in Gibali (auch Jibbalo oder Shari genannt) aufgezeichnet; Gibali ist eine nicht-schriftliche, moderne südarabische Sprache (Rubin 2014). Die Analyse konzentriert sich nicht auf klassische Erzähltypen, sondern bezieht sich vielmehr auf die alltäglichen Lebenszusammenhänge, die sich in den Geschichten der Dhofari spiegeln. Die Aufzeichnungen wurden zum Zeitpunkt der Modernisierung der Region in den 1970er Jahren vorgenommen und enthalten viele traditionelle Elemente der Gibali-Kultur. Diese Aufzeichnungen werden mit anderen schriftlichen Quellen verglichen, um aufzuzeigen, dass die Übermittlung von moralischen Glaubensvorstellungen, z. B. von Schwüren, Djinns, in den Texten eine wichtige Rolle spielt. Die Autorin forscht seit über zehn Jahren über dhofarische und gibalische Kulturen.

Correlation Between Adenoid Hypertrophy, Tympanometry Findings, and Viscosity of Middle Ear Fluid in Chronic Otitis Media With Effusion, Southern Oman.

Otitis media with effusion is a common cause of diminished hearing in children younger than 12 years. Hypertrophy of adenoids is one of the commonest etiologies of this condition. It has been mentioned that with increased size of the adenoid tissue, the more likely the incidence of fluid in the middle ear. The aim of this study was to find whether there is a correlation between adenoid size, tympanometric findings, and type of fluid in the middle ear irrespective of disease duration. This is a prospective study done on 100 pediatric patients (12 years and less) presented with chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) and adenoid hypertrophy from July 2015 till July 2017. Cases with tympanometry evidence of COME (B, Cs) and adenoid hypertrophy seen by nasal endoscopy were included. Adenoid size was graded and correlated with the type of tympanometry and type of fluid in the middle ear. Sixty male children and 40 female children were involved. Age ranged from 3 to 12 years with a mean of 7.19 ± 2.489 years. Highly significant relation existed between grade 4 adenoid hypertrophy and mucoid nature of middle ear fluid (P value = .000). There is a highly significant relation between adenoid hypertrophy grade Ⅳ and type B tympanometry. There is a highly significant relation between adenoid size and nature of middle ear fluid irrespective of the duration of complaints, where grade Ⅳ adenoid hypertrophy showed more increase in middle ear effusion viscosity making adenoid size a very important predictor for the tympanometry type and the nature of the fluid in the middle ear.

Biostratigraphy and evolution of larger rotaliid foraminifera in the Cretaceous–Palaeogene transition of the southern Oman Mountains

AbstractA site in the western flank of Jabal Ja'alan (Oman Mountains) reveals an exceptional succession across the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary. The sampled interval comprises a series of carbonates deposited in shallow‐water platform environments and belonging to the Murka Formation, which lies between the Simsima and Abat formations of latest Cretaceous and Thanetian age, respectively. The larger foraminifera recovered from this interval belong essentially to the group of larger rotaliids (Rotaliidae). Two new genera and two new species are here described, Praelockhartia neoakbari gen. et sp. nov. and Rotaliidium parvum gen. et sp. nov. The former shows a very characteristic architecture of an umbilicus with strong piles and two types of umbilical cavities, while the latter has characteristic dorsal supplementary chamberlets. Other species such as Rotalia cf. jacobi, Rotorbinella hensoni, Rotospirella conica and Lockhartia sp. complete the rotaliid assemblage. The entire assemblage can be considered to be of late Danian age and to belong to shallow benthic zone SBZ 2. The larger rotaliids appear to have recovered and diversified earlier than any other larger benthic foraminifera in the region after the K–Pg crisis. The rotaliids from the Murka Formation also appear to be linked to the Lockhartiinae and to play a special role in improving our understanding of subsequent diversification in the Lockhartia Sea. A new subfamily, Praelockhartiinae, is erected to accommodate all primitive forms that are architecturally close to lockhartiines.

Islands in the desert: environmental distribution modelling of endemic flora reveals the extent of Pleistocene tropical relict vegetation in southern Arabia.

Southern Arabia is a global biodiversity hotspot with a high proportion of endemic desert-adapted plants. Here we examine evidence for a Pleistocene climate refugium in the southern Central Desert of Oman, and its role in driving biogeographical patterns of endemism. Distribution data for seven narrow-range endemic plants were collected systematically across 195 quadrats, together with incidental and historic records. Important environmental variables relevant to arid coastal areas, including night-time fog and cloud cover, were developed for the study area. Environmental niche models using presence/absence data were built and tuned for each species, and spatial overlap was examined. A region of the Jiddat Al Arkad reported independent high model suitability for all species. Examination of environmental data across southern Oman indicates that the Jiddat Al Arkad displays a regionally unique climate with higher intra-annual stability, due in part to the influence of the southern monsoon. Despite this, the relative importance of environmental variables was highly differentiated among species, suggesting that characteristic variables such as coastal fog are not major cross-species predictors at this scale. The co-occurrence of a high number of endemic study species within a narrow monsoon-influenced region is indicative of a refugium with low climate change velocity. Combined with climate analysis, our findings provide strong evidence for a southern Arabian Pleistocene refugium in Oman's Central Desert. We suggest that this refugium has acted as an isolated temperate and mesic island in the desert, resulting in the evolution of these narrow-range endemic flora. Based on the composition of species, this system may represent the northernmost remnant of a continuous belt of mesic vegetation formerly ranging from Africa to Asia, with close links to the flora of East Africa. This has significant implications for future conservation of endemic plants in an arid biodiversity hotspot.