The Southern Batinah Ports

This chapter aims to review the most important small coastal ports / harbors (banādir or anchorages) along the southern Batinah coast in the area between the two major and well-known ports of Sohar and Muscat / Mutrah. These two ports have been subject to several studies and mentioned by a number of travelers, historians, and archaeologists (see Chapters 6 and 8 in this volume). By contrast, the smaller ports and harbors have not been subject to any study. Thus, the aim of this chapter is to highlight the trade importance of these smaller ports locally and internationally, and to clarify their role in Omani trade exchange.