Archaeologists in northern Oman have uncovered a rare prehistoric rock art site featuring a massive rock face covered in ancient carvings at Hajar Al-Sinanat in Al-Khaboura, North Al-Batinah Governorate.
The carvings include animals, geometric symbols, and human figures created using a pecking technique, where the rock surface was repeatedly struck to form shapes and images. Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has not yet dated the site, although researchers believe the carvings were added over many generations, possibly across hundreds or even thousands of years.
Rock art sites across the Arabian Peninsula were often revisited over long periods, with newer images carved alongside older ones. Because of this, archaeologists say further study will be needed to understand when the carvings were made and how the site changed over time.
Some of the figures are easily recognisable, while others are more abstract. Together, they offer a rare glimpse into how prehistoric communities viewed the world around them. Researchers believe the carvings may reflect daily life, beliefs, journeys across the landscape, or even rituals and traditions passed down through generations.
One of the most striking aspects of the discovery is the sheer number of carvings concentrated on a single rock surface. Archaeologists believe this suggests the site held special importance for the people who used it, perhaps serving as a meeting place, landmark, or location tied to shared memory and cultural activity.
Unlike buildings or artefacts, rock art preserves direct traces left by human hands. Every carved line and figure represents a deliberate act carried out thousands of years ago, which is why sites like this are so valuable for understanding prehistoric life.
The discovery forms part of a wider effort to document and protect Oman’s archaeological heritage. Rock art is extremely fragile and can be damaged by erosion, weather, or even modern visitors. Simply touching the surface can slowly wear away ancient carvings.
Archaeologists are now recording the site using detailed photography and digital mapping techniques in an effort to preserve the engravings before further damage occurs.
Researchers hope future studies will reveal more about the people who created the carvings and the role sites like Hajar Al-Sinanat played in prehistoric Oman.
Sources : Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism
