Beyond Tombs and Towers: Domestic Architecture of the Umm An-Nar Period in Eastern Arabia

Description

The Umm an-Nar period (2700-2000 BC) in Eastern Arabia is a time of fundamental changes in subsistence, resource exploitation, and social complexity. In terms of material culture, this epoch is primarily known for its collective graves and monumental buildings, so-called towers, which were the focus of previous archaeological research. Domestic architecture, however, received much less attention. Therefore, in October 2016, the conference Beyond Tombs and Towers - Domestic Architecture of the Umm an-Nar Period in Eastern Arabia was held at Leiden University in the Netherlands with the aim of addressing this research gap. The fourth volume of the Arabia Orientalis series publishes the conference proceedings and includes participation from scientists based in the Netherlands, Germany, France, the USA, and Oman. The manifold contributions of the individual authors offer, for the first time, a comprehensive synopsis of Umm-Nar period domestic architecture in Eastern Arabia. The proceedings cover the sites of Umm an-Nar Island, Wadi Jizzi, Dahwa, Bat, Al-Zebah, and Ras al-Jinz, as well as addressing overarching aspects surrounding domestic architecture in the region such as chronology, subsistence, and the degree of sedentism of the population. Thus, this volume provides important insights into the way of life during this critical epoch on the Oman Peninsula. Cover Title Page Copyright Contents Preface of the Editor Stephanie Döpper: Chapter 1: Introduction Jonas Kluge: Chapter 2: The Domestic Architecture of Umm an-Nar Island Bleda S. Düring and Samatar A. Botan: Chapter 3: The Early Bronze Age Settlements of the Sohar Hinterlands: Scratching the Surface Bleda S. Düring and Samatar A. Botan: Chapter 3: The Early Bronze Age Settlements of the Sohar Hinterlands: Scratching the Surface Nasser Said Al-Jahwari, Khaled Douglas, Mohammed Al-Belushi and Kimberly D. Williams: Chapter 4: Umm an-Nar Settlement at Dahwa (DH1), Oman: Preliminary Results of the Archaeological Investigation, 2014–2016 Jennifer Swerida: Chapter 5: Bat and the Umm an-Nar Settlement Tradition Conrad Schmidt: Chapter 6: The Umm an-Nar Settlement of Al-Zebah Stephanie Döpper: Chapter 7: Al-Zebah and its Position in the Regional Settlement Pattern of Central Inner-Oman Valentina M. Azzarà: Chapter 8: Exploring Cultural, Social and Economic Complexification: Settlement Life through the Umm an-Nar Period at Ras al-Jinz RJ-2