Survey of Historic and Archaeological Monuments at Risk in Oman (SHAMRO): Muscat Governorate as a case study

Survey of Historic and Archaeological Monuments at Risk in Oman (SHAMRO): Muscat Governorate as a case study The overarching purpose of SHAMRO (Survey of Historic and Archaeological Monuments at Risk in Oman: Muscat Governorate as a case study) is to provide up-to-date information on the general characteristics of the historic and archaeological monuments under threat, collecting specific details about their past conditions and current state. The advantage of carrying out such a study lies in the level of consistency that will be achieved in providing such information, offering a true picture of what has happened and is happening to the historic and archaeological remains scattered in the studied area. To this end, several aims for SHAMRO project are defined: - To create a record of sites and monuments for each Willaya in the studied area - To carry out a systematic survey to assess the current state and estimating the degree of damage to these sites during the last 50 years. - Identify and understand the nature of threats facing the archaeology in the studied area - To establish a baseline to enable monitoring historic and archaeological sites under threat. - To create a geo-databased for the endangered sites. - To set up networks and share knowledge through the creation of website. - To Assist decision maker for developing a protection plan. Importance of the project: The need for SHAMRO lies in the fact that its results would be important for everyone involved in archaeological and heritage resource management at national and local levels. The stated aims of the project will fill the lack of quantified information on the condition of archaeological remains, the rates of decay that monuments of different types in the different regions of the study area have been subjected to over the last fifty years. Also, the degree to which ongoing land-use and land-use change have negative impact on archaeological and historic monuments in the studyied area. Area of Study: Geographically, SHAMRO will cover the land area within Muscat Governorate. Chronology Coverage: SHAMRO project will include all the prehistoric as well as historic periods in the studied area. In other words, the project will focus on all signs that show the earliest evidence of human presence to recent historical epochs. Methods of the study 1- Collecting data form the various sources such as previous studies and historic documents. 2- Analysing remote sensing and aerial imagery. 3- Field survey: 4- Spatial Analysis. 5- Creation of a main database for the project. 6- Creation of website for the project: