Rub al-Khali

This paper presents important new evidence for human occupation recently discovered in the Umm al-Zumūl region, an area located in the south-eastern desert of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. It is near this point that the UAE meets the borders of both the Sultanate of Oman and Saudi Arabia. Historically this has always been a focal point because of the presence of a sweet-water well. The area is sparsely populated and human activities today are largely confined to camel breeding and related occupations, although development of an oilfield is now under way.

GIS technologies along with the spatial analysis methodologies are important tools for advancement in archaeological research and to get better explanation of the ancient history. A wide range of information can be collected and analysed through the study of the spatial distribution of archaeological remains. During its Gas exploration operations and as a part of its commitment to protect the archaeological sites in Rub’ ALKhali desert, South Rub Al-Khali (SRAK) company limited sponsored the archaeological survey project conducted by teams from the local museums in Dammam and Al-Hasa in 2006. This research has used the data obtained during this project and will try to utilize the capabilities of GIS technology along with some spatial analysis methodologies to study the distribution and characteristics of the archaeological sites in Wadi Al-Ghayran, Saudi Arabia. Most of the archaeological sites recorded in this region are related to the prehistoric periods. The research will mainly investigate the distribution and characteristics of archaeological sites and its proximity to old water resources. The study will also try to make inferences about the relationships of intervisibility between related archaeological sites within Al-Ghayran landscape using the Digital elevation Model (DEM). Finally, the visibility analysis would be used to help in planning future archaeological survey or prospecting programmes.

This paper presents important new evidence for human occupation recently discovered in the Umm al-Zumūl region, an area located in the south-eastern desert of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. It is near this point that the UAE meets the borders of both the Sultanate of Oman and Saudi Arabia. Historically this has always been a focal point because of the presence of a sweet-water well. The area is sparsely populated and human activities today are largely confined to camel breeding and related occupations, although development of an oilfield is now under way.

Abstract This paper discusses the results of a new geo-archaeological study on the nephrite (jade) axes discovered in southern Oman (Dhofar Governorate). The research presents a first account of the geological composition and the morphological structure of such tools and it outlines a preliminary distribution network of jade axe-heads across Southern Arabia. After the discovery of the first analysed sample at Shaqat Jadailah SQJ-3, in the Rub’ al-Khali Desert (Dhofar), four other archaeological axe-adze samples collected from southern Oman, were analysed using micro-Raman Spectroscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF). We compared the analysed samples to other nephrite axes collected in the first pioneering exploration of Gertrude Caton-Thompson (Yemen) and Wilfred Thesiger (South Oman). These objects were then correlated with nephrite raw material from the basement exposures in Yemen. Available data show that the raw material originating in Yemen reached the Neolithic groups of Southern Rub’ al-Khali and coastal Dhofar most likely during the 6th-5th millennium BC, following a similar path to the obsidian route. The colour, texture and composition, together with the presence of other classes of lithic artefacts such as the trihedral projectile points, indicate that during this period Southern Oman was fully integrated into long-distance exchange networks. The analysis of the collected samples show that they are made exclusively from nephrite, and not from other general “green stones”. Considering the high hardness and toughness of the nephrite, this fact allows the hypothesis of a deliberate choice in the selection of raw material for its durability or prestige value.

Survey work in 2004 identified two extensive lithics scatters in the south-eastern desert of Abu Dhabi at Umm az-Zumūl. Both scatters were within small interdunal areas to the south-east of large barchan dunes. At the first site (Khor al-Manāhil) a controlled pick-up of lithics recorded almost 3000 fragments of flint and stone artefacts. The typology of the artefacts suggests the scatter belongs to the so-called Arabian Bifacial Tradition (ABT). This dates the scatter to the mid-Holocene, between the seventh and fifth millennia, when the climate was wetter and the conditions more favourable. A series of undated "burnt mounds" at Khor al-Manāhil was also recorded and excavated. The second scatter (Kharimat Khor al-Manāhil) was again comprised of flints belonging to the Arabian Bifacial Tradition. OSL dating suggested that these must date later than 9000 years ago. Two shell beads, found in association with the flint scatter resemble types well known from the Neolithic cemet...

Survey work in 2004 identified two extensive lithics scatters in the south-eastern desert of Abu Dhabi at Umm az-Zumūl. Both scatters were within small interdunal areas to the south-east of large barchan dunes. At the first site (Khor al-Manāhil) a controlled pick-up of lithics recorded almost 3000 fragments of flint and stone artefacts. The typology of the artefacts suggests the scatter belongs to the so-called Arabian Bifacial Tradition (ABT). This dates the scatter to the mid-Holocene, between the seventh and fifth millennia, when the climate was wetter and the conditions more favourable. A series of undated "burnt mounds" at Khor al-Manāhil was also recorded and excavated. The second scatter (Kharimat Khor al-Manāhil) was again comprised of flints belonging to the Arabian Bifacial Tradition. OSL dating suggested that these must date later than 9000 years ago. Two shell beads, found in association with the flint scatter resemble types well known from the Neolithic cemet...

This paper discusses the results of a new geo-archaeological study on the nephrite (jade) axes discovered in southern Oman (Dhofar Governorate). The research presents a first account of the geological composition and the morphological structure of such tools and it outlines a preliminary distribution network of jade axe-heads across Southern Arabia. After the discovery of the first analysed sample at Shaqat Jadailah SQJ-3, in the Rub' al-Khali Desert (Dhofar), four other archaeological axe-adze samples collected from southern Oman, were analysed using micro-Raman Spectroscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF). We compared the analysed samples to other nephrite axes collected in the first pioneering exploration of Gertrude Caton-Thompson (Yemen) and Wilfred Thesiger (South Oman). These objects were then correlated with nephrite raw material from the basement exposures in Yemen. Available data show that the raw material originating in Yemen reached the Neolithic gr...

Abstract This paper discusses the results of a new geo-archaeological study on the nephrite (jade) axes discovered in southern Oman (Dhofar Governorate). The research presents a first account of the geological composition and the morphological structure of such tools and it outlines a preliminary distribution network of jade axe-heads across Southern Arabia. After the discovery of the first analysed sample at Shaqat Jadailah SQJ-3, in the Rub’ al-Khali Desert (Dhofar), four other archaeological axe-adze samples collected from southern Oman, were analysed using micro-Raman Spectroscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF). We compared the analysed samples to other nephrite axes collected in the first pioneering exploration of Gertrude Caton-Thompson (Yemen) and Wilfred Thesiger (South Oman). These objects were then correlated with nephrite raw material from the basement exposures in Yemen. Available data show that the raw material originating in Yemen reached the Neolithic groups of Southern Rub’ al-Khali and coastal Dhofar most likely during the 6th-5th millennium BC, following a similar path to the obsidian route. The colour, texture and composition, together with the presence of other classes of lithic artefacts such as the trihedral projectile points, indicate that during this period Southern Oman was fully integrated into long-distance exchange networks. The analysis of the collected samples show that they are made exclusively from nephrite, and not from other general “green stones”. Considering the high hardness and toughness of the nephrite, this fact allows the hypothesis of a deliberate choice in the selection of raw material for its durability or prestige value.

Recent research by the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey in cooperation with the Department of Antiquities and Tourism in Al Ain, now part of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), has revealed new Neolithic sites in the Umm az-Zamul region, located in the south-eastern desert of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The sites comprise of extensive lithic scatters spreading more than 3 kilometres alongside the south-eastern slopes of barchan dunes (crescent-shaped dunes whose arms point down-wind). The lithics scatters belong to the so-called Arabian Bifacial Tradition (ABT). Detailed recording of single flints as well as controlled total collection from defined contexts was applied. This was carried out to determine the character of the assemblage composition and to discuss the possible origins of site formation. These new sites allow us to re-examine the nature of settlement activities within the desert interior of south-eastern Arabia. Figure 1. Location...