Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP OF CHAPTER
History
Gold, Frankincense and...Copper
The term 'renaissance' applied to the current sultan's reign is an appropriate one, as it
suggests equally rich periods through Oman's long history.
As far back as 5000 BC, southern Oman (now called Dhofar) was the centre of the luc-
rative frankincense trade. This highly prized commodity, produced from the aromatic sap
of the frankincense tree, was traded for spices with India and carried by caravans across
all of Arabia. While the trees grew in Yemen and one or other two locations, they grew
best in the monsoon-swept hills of Dhofar, where they continue to be harvested to this
day. So precious was the sap of these trees that even the part-mythical Queen of Sheba
hand-delivered Dhofari frankincense to King Solomon (
Click here
)
. Equally legendary, of
course, are the gifts borne by the three wise men of biblical report.
The Bible also mentions the golden-pillared city of Ubar, built by the people of Ad.
This fabled city, which has excited the curiosity of explorers for hundreds of years, grew
out of the frankincense trade to become one of the most powerful cities in the region. The
remains of the city were reputedly rediscovered in the 1990s by English explorer Ranulph
Fiennes. Nonetheless, it is hard to believe this claim, looking at the virtually barren plot
near Thumrait. Much more persuasive is the fact that the presumed descendents of the re-
markable civilisation of Ad still occupy the surrounding desert, speaking the distinct and
ancient language of Jibbali, whimsically known as the 'language of the birds'.
Oman enjoyed further prosperity in pre-Islamic times through the trading of copper.
Indeed, Oman is referred to in some sources as 'the Mountain of Copper', and the Bahrain
National Museum provides evidence of vigorous trading in copper between Oman and its
Gulf neighbours. The country then slipped into a long period of isolation that prevailed
until the 7th century AD when Islam was introduced by Amr ibn al-As, a disciple of the
Prophet Mohammed. Oman was quick to embrace the new faith - it even gained a reputa-
tion for its proselytising zeal.
For about the next 500 years Oman came under the leadership of the Bani Nabhan dyn-
asty (1154-1624).
