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Photo: F igy, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Three sites of prehistoric settlements and beehive tombs dating from the 3rd millennium BCE, collectively inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn are a group of beehive tombs or necropolis from the Hafit period in the 3rd Millennium BC, located near a palm grove in Oman. They were declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1988, becoming only the second such Omani site after the Bahla Fort was designated world heritage in 1987.
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This site was excavated in 1976 and includes communal graves, ruins of tower forts, and beehive tombs.
This site contains the ruins of a stone tower 20 m in diameter.
Al Ain
These unexcavated beehive tombs here are in much better condition than those at Bat, with the added dramatic backdrop of Jebel Misht and its 1000-m-high cliffs. To access them, take the graded road to the left (just past the junction), and turn right and drive 100 m down the wadi. From here a footpath leads to the tombs.
Set right at the base of the mountains, this town is notable for a number of Yemeni-style mud-brick buildings, some of which are among the oldest houses in Oman. They are in an older section of the town overlooking the newer town; in the early 21st century, many of the older houses have been abandoned as the inhabitants have chosen to move into more modern buildings.
Misfah
One of the few mountain villages accessible by 2WD on a paved road. The ancient village is in a beautiful setting, with terraced gardens and a falaj irrigation system. The ruined fort of Al Rogan overlooks the village, which is the starting point for the challenging W9 trekking path, connecting with trails W8 and W10h. Donkeys and guides are available for hire here as well.
Al Hutah, Al Hotta, Al Fallah, Al Falahi
A 2.7-km-long living cave network with a large chamber of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as an 800-m-long lake, home to a species of blind fish. There is also a geological museum onsite, as well as a cafe and gift shop.