Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn Sites
The archaeological sites of Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn are located in Bat, Oman, near an expansive palm grove in the interior of the Sultanate. Together with the nearby city and surrounding locations, these sites represent a comprehensive collection of settlements and burial grounds dating back to the third millennium BCE. The primary site is part of the modern village of Bat in Wadi Sharjah, approximately 24 kilometers east of the city of Ibri, in the Al-Dhahirah governorate, in northwest Oman. This region is renowned for the impressive tower at Al-Khutm and the cemetery at Al-Ayn, in addition to numerous other large towers, rural settlements, agricultural irrigation systems, and submerged burial sites, all of which are dated to the Bronze Age.
Graves in Bat
The graves and cemeteries at Bat are constructed from flat, hollow stones and still retain heaps of the original materials and stones. Remarkably well-preserved, these burial sites appear almost as if they were recently built. Each grave features a single small entrance, making it difficult to see inside, and it is believed that they are mostly empty. Located in the southern part of Bat, this site is the second in Oman to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tombs resemble honeycombs and date back to the third millennium BCE, exhibiting architectural characteristics similar to those found at Jebel Hafit. Additionally, another burial site has been discovered, containing around one hundred graves made from stone.
Bronze Towers
The impressive stone towers are large circular structures constructed from clay or stone. These towers are thought to serve as defensive, agricultural, political, or ceremonial edifices and also date back to the third millennium BCE. While limited research has been conducted on these structures, a significant study was undertaken from 2007 to 2012 by the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. This research focused primarily on the massive stone towers and the reasons behind their construction, providing new insights into the formation and function of these structures, which played a pivotal role in shaping the social and political relationships within the ancient Kingdom of Magan.