The vast desert landscape of Oman, known for its rich history and ancient settlements, has once again revealed a hidden treasure. A pair of Ph.D. student researchers from Goethe University Frankfurt, Irini Biezeveld and Jonas Kluge, recently unearthed a 4,300-year-old artifact, a testament to the region’s vibrant past.
Following a tip from local residents, the researchers discovered several settlements dating back to the Early Bronze Age, a period spanning from 2600 B.C. to 2000 B.C. Their excavation led them to a desert area near Ibra, where they stumbled upon a “coveted” artifact that had lain unnoticed for over four millennia.
The artifact, a lump of copper, emerged from the sandy ground, its exterior corroded to a green-blue hue. Upon closer examination, the students identified three cone-shaped copper ingots within the lump, weighing approximately 3.7 pounds in total. Copper was a highly sought-after commodity during the Early Bronze Age, mined extensively, melted down, and molded into ingots for trade and tool-making.
The copper ingots found near Ibra were likely left behind inadvertently when the settlement’s residents abandoned it. “A find like this is extremely rare,” archaeologist Stephanie Döpper told the university. The excavation also revealed pottery fragments from the ancient Indus culture, which once thrived in modern-day Pakistan and India.
This discovery not only sheds light on the trade and lifestyle of the Early Bronze Age inhabitants of Oman but also underscores the region’s connection with the ancient Indus culture. As we continue to dig into the past, we are reminded of the intricate web of human history and the mysteries that still lie buried beneath our feet.
Reference:
Pflughoeft, A. (2023, June 1). Someone left a ‘coveted’ item and never returned. Students found it 4,300 years later. Yahoo News. Retrieved from https://www.yahoo.com/news/someone-left-coveted-item-never-191751164.html
Ruins and Relics 