Preliminary report on Qumayrah–Ayn 2, a new prehistoric site in northern Oman Cover Image

Preliminary report on Qumayrah–Ayn 2, a new prehistoric site in northern Oman
Preliminary report on Qumayrah–Ayn 2, a new prehistoric site in northern Oman

Author(s): Marcin Białowarczuk
Subject(s): Archaeology, Ancient World, Present Times (2010 - today)
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: Arabian Peninsula; Oman; lithic technology; Qumayrah–Ayn; late Stone Age;

Summary/Abstract: This paper reports briefly on the results of a short reconnaissance at the site of Qumayrah– Ayn 2 (QA 2), a new prehistoric site located in a poorly studied part of the Qumayrah Valley in northern Oman. A survey and limited probing by the Omani–Polish Qumayrah Archaeological Project confirmed the presence of sediment, approximately 15–20 cm thick, which yielded not just lithics, but also stone installations discovered in situ. One of these installations was evidently a hearth, the other a kind of platform. The lithic assemblage is characterized by a prevalence of flake technology with rare blade products. Predominant in the tools group are side-scrapers, notches and perforators produced by direct-scaled retouch. The most characteristic tools are tanged projectile points made on flakes. The main problem is contextualizing these materials. On the grounds of certain premises they may be associated with the Fasad technocomplex, but not necessarily the pre-Neolithic one as is the case of the classic types. However, a much later chronology is also quite possible.

  • Issue Year: 1/2017
  • Issue No: XXVI
  • Page Range: 543-555
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: English