The Early Iron Age collective tomb LCG-1 at Dibbā al-Bayah, Oman: long-distance exchange and cross-cultural interaction

Abstract

Abstract

About two seal‐impressed jars from Tell Abraq (Emirate of Umm al‐Quwain). New evidence for intercultural networks in the lower Arabian Gulf in the late 2nd – beginning of the 1st millennium BC

“…This network somehow shrinks down during the 2nd millennium BC, to revive towards the end of the same millennium (Potts, 1990b, pp. 258–260), consistent with the presence of these jars at Tell Abraq and other items at various sites in south‐eastern Arabia, including burials (e.g., Frenez et al, 2020; Pellegrino et al, 2019).…”

“…Moreover, given the co‐occurrence of the ichthyocentaur and goat‐fish motif, it can be probably reckoned as a product of the later Kassite period. The Kassite and Kassite–Elamite presence in the Arabian Gulf is well known (e.g., Frenez et al, 2020; Potts, 2006), as well as the presence of other actors in a complex exchange network that involved the different polities overlooking this water body. Hence, also the hypothesis of ‘travelling artisans’ trading intercultural products should not be completely dismissed (Denton & al‐Sindi, 1996, p. 191).…”

“…122–123 and figs. 150–151) and another from the collective grave LCG‐1 at Dibbā, in Oman’s territory (Frenez et al, 2020, p. 10 and fig. 6).…”

The softstone vessels assemblage from the Long Collective Grave 1 (LCG‐1) at Dibbā al‐Bayah (Sultanate of Oman): A preliminary assessment

“…When attempting to define the phases of the introduction of certain shapes and decorations, it should be borne in mind that a part of the materials found in the tomb leads us to envisage its use starting from the second half of the second millennium: that is, the objects imported from the neighbouring regions, like the cylindrical faience seal, the circular gold pendant and the eye‐stone with a cuneiform inscription, that reflect the Elamite and Kassite cultural components and can probably be dated to the second half of the second millennium (Frenez et al, 2020). In addition to these highly valuable objects, the presence of some spouts with tubular beaks should not be overlooked.…”

Gold and ‘ratti’ signs inscribed on Mohenjo-Daro’s gold-assaying needles, fish-sign inscriptions signifying gemstones concentrated near lapidaries: Indus script’s taxed commodities

“…Now, pappardilû and papparmīnu were banded agate stones with one and two white bands respectively (Parpola S, 2007), and as mentioned before, etched carnelian beads and banded agates imported from IVC were known as "fish-eye stones" and "eye-stones" (Donkin, 1998) in ancient Mesopotamia. Moreover, an inscribed Kassite eye-stone amulet bead found from the early iron grave from Daba of Oman is inscribed with Goddess Gula's name (Frenez et al, 2021), who was a Mesopotamian healing deity and patroness of doctors. Thus it is evident that such eye-patterned gemstones (see Fig.…”