Ancient times
Ancient times
Already in the third century, the eastern Arabian Peninsula was inhabited by the Umm an-Nar culture, whose territory extended from present-day UAE to the northern part of Oman. Important trading partners for this early culture were the Sumerians as well as the Indus Valley culture in present-day Pakistan. The land was then referred to as Magan and was limited to the present northern part of the sultanate. Little is known about the organization of this culture, aside from a mention by Naram-Sin of Akkad (2200 BC) about a victory over King Manium of Magan.
Due to the existing copper deposits in the country, Magan early gained significance, as copper was needed for the production of the very popular bronze at that time. At its peak between 2200 BC and 1900 BC, up to 4000 tons of copper were mined. At that time, the transport of various export goods primarily took place via sea routes.
When the Indus Valley culture declined around 1800 BC and direct trade with Mesopotamia ceased, Magan lost significance despite ongoing copper mining. This is likely due to the fact that Mesopotamia began sourcing copper mainly from Cyprus thereafter.
In the 6th century, the Persians conquered the coasts of Oman for the first time and built the famous irrigation system "Falaj". The Arab tribe of Azd from Yemen then expelled the Parthians from Oman in the 2nd century AD and settled there.
Discover Oman with experts who have called it their home
Your dream holiday, tailor-made by experts.
We don't just know Oman from books, we visit the country several times a year to experience the culture, landscape and people first-hand.
From your first enquiry to your return home, we are there for you personally - by phone, email or WhatsApp, whenever you need us. Our trips are as unique as you are: individually planned and provided with exclusive privileges and high-quality arrangements that will make your trip unforgettable.
Experts for your Oman trip
You might also like this
Water Temperature Oman
The Sultanate of Oman is located in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, and its coast with a length of 2000 km is bordered by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, with the coast being divided into two major sections. Along its long coast, Oman is dominated by the influence of the prevailing trade winds, as well as the Indian monsoons. The beaches in the north of the country, along the Gulf of Oman, are suitable for bathing year-round. While the water temperature in winter is around 25°C, it rises to a very warm 26°C to 31°C in the summer months. Due to the high ...
Self-Drive Travel Oman
Due to the well-developed road network – especially in northern Oman – it is recommended for tourists to explore the country independently with a rental car. To ensure a smooth flow of your trip, you should plan in advance which parts of the country you want to explore. Especially if you plan to spend one or more nights in the desert, you should ensure that the rental car has all-wheel drive and sufficient ground clearance. However, it is not advisable to explore the desert without the guidance of a local expert, even with the best off-road vehicle, as driving in the loose sand of the desert r...
General Economic Situation
The general economic situation in Oman is very good. The country owes this to two factors: firstly, the very prudent leadership of the Sultan Qaboos and secondly, the oil and gas resources in the country. However, in recent years, the importance of other sectors of the economy has also been understood, and efforts have been made to promote them further. Thus, the tourism industry, industrial enterprises in general, and agriculture have also become important components of the domestic economy, even though the sale of oil and gas still accounts for around 80% of the government's revenue. The de...