Ricerc@Sapienza

The aAl-Duqm area (al-Wus?? administrative division, Sultanate of Oman) is located in eastern-central Oman and is marked by a relatively flat topography (Quaternary Period sedimentary cover) with some residual hills (mostly Upper Cretaceous to Lower Tertiary). In November–December 2015 the whole area, which is covered by the Special Economic Zone Authority of Duqm (SEZAD), was surveyed with the main aim of assessing the archaeological potential and related risks of this area, now affected by rapid development.

On April 1st, 2012, in the desert sand three tourists stumbled onto what they interpreted as the remains of an ancient battlefield. In reality they discovered the remains of an ancient metal melting site ? an ancient crime scene. Most of the finds consisted of weapons fashioned from copper-alloy, especially daggers. They were mostly grave-goods. Everything about this find was unusual. How and when did it get there, just inside the Empty Quarter. Why should it be here, distant for markets and roads?

The site of Daba is a burial complex of great importance formed by numerous large collective graves containing hundreds of individuals each, accompanied by thousands of valuable goods. Daba is located on the east coast of Musandam Peninsula (Oman) and is surrounded by several Iron Age sites including both settlements and burial complex, as Tel Abrak, Masafi and Hili as settlements, Jebel Buhais, Shimal and Asimah as burial complex.