The Salut and Bisya Archaeological Mission (2022): The Rock Art Landscape and its Threatening

The geoarchaeological investigation around the Bisya and Salut Archaeological Park disclosed the complexity of local archaeological landscape dating to the last millennia of the Holocene and the main steps in developing sophisticated systems for land exploitation. Recent fieldwork focused on the importance of rock art in the region, which needs to be systematically surveyed and documented. Rock art sites feature various representations dating from the second millennium BCE onwards and the research carried out in 2022 aimed to assess its archaeological potential, as well as identify any threats to its preservation. The investigation confirms that local rock art is a valuable asset for Oman’s archaeology and potential tourism. It suggests the development of geo-cultural tourism routes that combine archaeological sites and rock art with the natural landscapes. Nonetheless, the preservation of rock art and the issues threatening it need careful consideration and assessment for future planning.