Excavation in Oman finds link to Indus Valley civilisation

DUBAI: Archaeologists in Oman's southern Sinaw region have discovered a site that could reveal Indus Valley civilisation's influence on the Omani society 2,300 years ago, officials said.

The tomb of a buried man with sword and daggers made of iron and steel was unearthed during an excavation and it has been scientifically proved that iron and steel arms were made in the Indus Valley civilisation first time ever, said Sultan Bensaif Al Bakri, director of Excavations and Archaeological Studies of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture Oman.

This finding may prove the influence of the Indian civilisation on Oman during that period, he was quoted as saying by the Times of Oman.

A 2,300-year-old underground chamber was found during rescue excavations 22km south of Sinaw.

This was the burial chamber of the man in his 50's, buried along with his personal arms. Near his grave, two male and female camels were also buried. They were slaughtered after the death of the man, he said.

According to the descriptions provided by the archaeologists, the sword and daggers were made of iron and steel which was first made in the Indian civilisation from where it spread to the neighbouring civilisations, including Oman, he said.

The ministry will restore these arms and will display these models in the proposed national museum scheduled to open at the end of this year, he said.