Tombs                                                                                           This page is revised on the 9 June 1999

One of the strangest phenomena I have seen in Oman is located on top of a mountain massif between 1500 and 2000 metres above sea level.

96 tombs in the shape of beehives are spread out over an area of approximately 150 square kilometres. The tombs are between 4 and 5,000 years old and so older than the famous pyramids in Egypt. Only a few people are living on top of this massif, but it seems to be a fairly recent activity (but who knows, and what they are living from up there I do not understand, because it is cold, windy and barren). Presumably the tombs have been established as the last stop for the chief of a tribe or something like that. It is not known. The nearest known signs of similar old habitation are sighted at the nearby coast. Nearby means 10 km up the mountain on steep slopes.

Why this has been formed like this? Nobody knows.

A funny detail is that these tombs was 'discovered' by palefaces for the first time 8 years ago. Until then the region was only approachable with great difficulties. But then, as a result of Sultan Qaboos decree, a road was built up to the villages on top of the mountain. Strange thought that this kind of discoveries can still take place in the 1990s. Almost like this completely unknown (or new) species of animal found in Vietnam a few years ago. There are still plenty of undiscovered mountains in Oman. One wonders what they possibly might hide.......

On the way up. There on the top is the first one to see.

And here they are!

There are a small crowd of 9 tombs below this edge.

Some are worn out. But, who wouldn't look like that after 4 to 5,000 years?

Others are still going strong. Approximately 8 metres high. They are all emptied (by the National Museum).