Classification and identification of Bronze Age ceramics: chronology and trade in 3rd millennium BC Oman and the creation of a reference collection for SQU.

Recent archaeological survey and excavation at Dahwa close to Saham on the Batinah Plain by the present PI have revealed the existence of a large settlement dated to between 2500 and 2000 BC (Bronze Age). The settlement is extensive, measuring over 700m in length. It is important because no other site of this date is known from this area. In fact settlement of this period had been thought to be concentrated in the Dhakhilya region. This site therefore has the potential to change our understanding of the Bronze Age in Oman and also of the history of the Batinah. In order to produce a full publication of the site, specialist technical advice is required on the ceramics collected from the site to act as a tool in helping to identify the materials. The ceramics hold the key to both the chronology of the site as well as its trade links. The proposal is to bring the foremost international expert on Bronze Age ceramics to SQU for 7 days in order to benefit from advice and discussion with her in terms of defining, classifying and making typology for the pottery as well as defining whether it is local or imported.

Recent archaeological survey and excavation at Dahwa close to Saham on the Batinah Plain by the present PI have revealed the existence of a large settlement dated to between 2500 and 2000 BC (Bronze Age). The settlement is extensive, measuring over 700m in length. It is important because no other site of this date is known from this area. In fact settlement of this period had been thought to be concentrated in the Dhakhilya region. This site therefore has the potential to change our understanding of the Bronze Age in Oman and also of the history of the Batinah. In order to produce a full publication of the site, specialist technical advice is required on the ceramics collected from the site to act as a tool in helping to identify the materials. The ceramics hold the key to both the chronology of the site as well as its trade links. The proposal is to bring the foremost international expert on Bronze Age ceramics to SQU for 7 days in order to benefit from advice and discussion with her in terms of defining, classifying and making typology for the pottery as well as defining whether it is local or imported.