At the Dawn of History: The Late Pre-Islamic Age in South-Eastern Arabia: (14 The Archaeological Heritage of Oman)

This fresh study thoroughly re-casts the unrecognised Samad Late Iron Age (SLIA) and its archaeological context in the 600 years which flank the year 0 CE, providing valuable insights into the significance and complexities of this enigmatic era. Through meticulous research of archaeological sites and recent discoveries, the authors present an in-depth understanding of the SLIA. A particular focus is given to examining the relationship between the SLIA assemblage and that of the Mleiha/PIR, parsing the cultural connections between these separate yet intertwined archaeological phenomena. By investigating diverse topics such as burial practices, pottery, small finds, trade networks and architecture, this work aims to offer a comprehensive grasp of the material culture and historical scene of the centuries preceding the rise of Islam. With its contribution to the ongoing academic discourse on the archaeology of south-eastern Arabia, this book fills a niche for scholars and enthusiasts seeking archaeological knowledge about this fascinating Arabian period.

Table of Contents:
Introduction 1. South-eastern Arabia between the late 1st millennium BCE and the early centuries CE 2. Sites and Architecture 3. Artefact Classes 4. Chronology 5. Special Topics 6. Post LIA/Sasanian and post Sasanian 7. Late pre-Islamic Dhofar 8. Conclusion Bibliography Appendix 1: Site names, assemblages and sources Appendix 2 : Artefact classes of the late pre-Islamic assemblages Index of people Index of things Index of places

About the Author :
Paul A. Yule is a retired professor from Heidelberg University. Since 1986 he has conducted archaeological fieldwork in the Sultanate of Oman, Yemen, India and Ethiopia. A foremost prehistorian of Arabia, previous books include his habilitation thesis on the Samad Late Iron Age. Monographic studies treat prehistoric metallic artefacts from Arabia and South Asia. He is editor and referee for different institutes, foundations and periodicals. He is an active graphic artist and cartographer. He made television and radio programmes, and his books have appeared in English, German and Arabic languages. Fausto Mauro is a specialist in geospatial analysis and archaeological surveys. As part of his PhD studies at Würzburg University (Germany), he investigates resilience and adaptability during the Samad Late Iron Age in central Oman. Researching pre-Islamic south-eastern Arabia, he has contributed to archaeological excavations in the Sultanate of Oman at sites such as Daba Al-Bayah and Bamah.