- Title: OMAN: An Omani graveyard that is thousands of years old attracts tourism
- Date: 9th April 2009
- Summary: ZAKIT, OMAN (RECENT) (REUTERS) WIDE OF ZAKIT VILLAGE WHERE ARCHAEOLOGICAL GRAVEYARD IS LOCATED VARIOUS OF GRAVEYARD SITE MAN WALKING TOWARDS SITE SITE OF GRAVEYARD (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OMANI RESIDENT, MATAR BIN RASHED ALTOUBI, SAYING: "This site attracts tourists because the Ministry of Tourism has developed it as an archaeological tourist site. Our fathers and grandfathers didn't know whether these were archaeological sites, or tombs used as forts for protection during wars in the past. However, thank God, and thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism, the site was developed and has become a tourist attraction." MEN VISITING ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OMANI RESIDENT, ISMAEL BIN YACOUB ALTOUBI, SAYING: "It is an archaeological site we knew from our fathers and grandfathers. They used it in the past as castles during times of war. Some people say that it is an archaeological graveyard site that dates back to 3BC." CLOSE OF GRAVEYARD PEOPLE WALKING DOWN THE HILL WIDE OF SITE
- Embargoed: 24th April 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Oman
- Country: Oman
- Topics: History
- Reuters ID: LVA7HNW7DZZ05ESVCI0O84IYF8F3
- Story Text: An Omani graveyard that is thousands of years old attracts tourism.
The Omani village of Zakit in the province of Izki hosts an ancient graveyard that some historians believe dates back to the third millennium BC.
The newly redeveloped site has left many locals pondering its purpose thousands of years ago and question whether the endless piles of stones were more than just a graveyard.
The Zakit Archaeological Graveyard is located on a mountain overlooking the village its named after. It is cylindrical in shape and formed of two walls of mountain stones that resemble a bee cell. It's construction at the top of the mountain thousands of years ago has left many questions unanswered.
It's mountaintop location has fuelled speculation that the site could have been used as fort to deter invading armies.
One local tourist, Matar bin Rashed al-Toubi, said the uncertainty of its original use remains prevalent on the minds of tourists and often makes the place more mysterious and appealing.
"This site attracts tourists because the Ministry of Tourism has developed it as an archaeological tourist site. Our fathers and grandfathers didn't know whether these were archaeological sites, or tombs used as castles for protection during wars in the past. However, thank God, and thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism, the site was developed and has become a tourist attraction," he said.
The province of Izki is one of the oldest Omani areas. History books say that Malek Bin Faham founded the city when he came to Oman in order to drive out the Persians.
Oman is seeking to develop tourism in the Sultanate where oil and gas revenues account for around 75 percent of the state's income. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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