The 2006 campaign at Khor Rori, Oman - Università degli Studi di Pisa

During the first archaeological campaign of 2006 (January-March), excavations were carried on in several areas: Area A (Gate Complex), Area B (south-eastern part of the city), Area F (north-western part of the city), and in Area E outside the north-western defence wall of the ancient town. In addition, a structure located in a few hundred meters south-east of Sumhuram (SUMS) was completely excavated.

In area A the earliest floor, constructed upon the bedrock from greyish hardly packed soil reinforced with small stone, was reached and the later additions were clarified.
In area B two areas have been dug: square A77, between the two complexes of storage bins where two strata, related with the late phase pf existence of Sumhuram were identified and the external part of the small gates where a portion of the outer bedrock was exposed to the south and to the north of the gates, removing the deposit.

The work at the Area E was carried out in order to beautify the external view of the ancient city and to determine the phases of construction (or re-construction) of its fortification system. The dumps remained outside the external wall M25 of the Monumental Building 1 and outside the city-walls M23-M135-M134 as well as dumps against the south-eastern wall of the corner-tower A62 were removed.
Fragments of lime plaster with carvings representing the hunting scene (running ibexes) and head of horse were found in the dumps removed outside the wall M25.

In Area F the works were concentrated along the city-walls M135 and M23, and along the part of the wall M18 of the Monumental Building 1. The "late" wall M159 was removed, and the street A68 and its continuation towards the south, the street A80, were partially exposed.

The north-eastern corner of what supposed to be the building BF6 was also discovered.
During the intensive survey made by M. Cremaschi and A. Perego, ruins of building situated in the south-eastern part of the Khor Rori were discovered. It seems two constructional phases of the building were determined.
The interpretation of the excavated structure as remains of mosque is without doubt. Its construction could be contemporary to the remains of Islamic fortress discovered on the top of Inqitat Mirbat.

The preliminary report is available in pdf format. Click here to download the file.