(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) Muscat- More than 30 archaeological sites have been found dating back to the New Stone Age (Neolithic era - 5th and 3rd millennium BC). The sites were unearthed during a survey conducted at Sharbathat in the wilayat of Shaleem and Halaniyat Islands in the Governorate of Dhofar.

This was announced at a press conference, held at the Directorate General of Heritage and Culture in Dhofar on Tuesday, to review the main findings of the archaeological survey for the sultanate's coasts. It was organised by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, in cooperation with the archaeological mission of the National Institute for Scientific Research in France.

Ahmed bin Salim al Hajri, director general of Heritage and Culture in Dhofar, said the archaeological surveys aimed at studying human settlement on the sultanate's coasts during the prehistoric times. It is part of the ministry's steps to spread awareness in the society on the importance of physical and cultural heritage and preserving it.

The press conference reviewed important outcomes of the archaeological survey of the French mission on the coast of the Governorate of Dhofar, in addition to highlighting the role and efforts of the ministry in the field of preserving the Omani cultural heritage. Members of the French mission at the conference pointed out that they had found a tomb dating back to the Neolithic era in Sharbathat, as well as stone tools around the tomb.

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