The Al-Ayn tombs
In a row before Jebel Misht.
Esra1993 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Arian Zwegers — CC BY 2.0 · F igy — Public domain · Bernhard Dunst — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Esra1993 — CC BY-SA 4.0
The tombs of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn are groups of beehive tombs from the Hafit period of the 3rd millennium BC, near Ibri in Oman. UNESCO listed them in 1988, the second Omani World Heritage Site after Bahla Fort, and they rank among the country's most beautiful and least crowded ancient sites. Around 3000 BC an active trade linked the area with the Sumerians, based on locally mined copper and stone. A Danish team began excavating at Bat in 1972 and showed that the area was inhabited for about 4,000 years. The purpose of some of its round buildings is still unknown, perhaps ritual or for storage. Bat lies by a palm grove, with about 100 graves and round buildings about 20 m across. Al-Khutm, 2 km west of Bat, has the remains of a stone tower. The finest group is at Al-Ayn, the best preserved, lined up on a stony ridge with towering Jebel Misht behind, an unforgettable sight. Bat is 26 km in a straight line from Ibri and 89 km from Nizwa, so stay in Ibri or leave early, and Al-Ayn is about 22 km from Bat. The sites are exposed with no services, so bring water and a hat. Do not climb on the tombs, which are fragile. The light at Al-Ayn is finest at sunset.
In a row before Jebel Misht.
Tombs by a palm grove.
Old stone remains.
Near Ibri, Ad Dhahirah Governorate
Al-Ayn, the best preserved, with Jebel Misht behind it.
No, so bring water and food, especially if heading to Al-Ayn for sunset.