In 2023 the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has supported 279 Archaeological Missions in 60 countries in the world, through financial grants (209) or institutional recognition. Eleven of these missions are currently in Oman. Italian Archaeologists have been present in the Sultanate since the seventies, warmly welcomed by the Omani authorities, which have found in the Italian universities reliable partners to support research on the rich history of the Oman. Italian universities have thus started a deep and fruitful collaboration with the local counterparts, through a constant dialogue which has resulted in joint activities, publications and additional studies, together with the Omani Authorities. In several cases some of the researchers have become consultants to the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, further increasing synergies with the Italian academic world. In this context, the commitment of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support the Italian archaeological missions, the regular dialogue of the Embassy with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and the reliability of Italian researchers have been pivotal for strengthening the bilateral dialogue and Italian cultural presence in Oman.
Here below are listed the archaeological missions currently in Oman:
1) archaeological research campaign in Wadi Bani Khalid area, concerning Iron Age settlements, directed by Prof. Romolo Loreto from the University of Naples “l’Orientale”.
2) archaeological research campaign in the necropolis of Musandam, through the Iron Age to the Pre-Islamic Age, directed by Dr. Francesco Genchi from the University of Rome “La Sapienza”.
3) archaeological research campaign in the area of Khutm, registered in the UNESCO heritage list in 1988, directed by Prof, Maurizio Cattani from University of Bologna.
4) archaeological research campaign in the medieval area of Al Baleed, directed by Dr. Roberta Giunta, from the University of Naples “l’Orientale”.
5) archaeological research campaign in the Salut e Bisyah area, through the Neolithic to the Islamic Age, directed by Prof. Andrea Zerboni from the University of Milan.
6) archaeological research campaign concerning the necropolis and settlement of Al Batinah during the Bronze and Iron Age, directed by Prof. Marco Ramazzotti from the University of Rome “La Sapienza”.
7) archaeological research campaign on prehistoric monumental tombs of the Bronze and Iron Age in Halban, South Batinah area, directed by Dr. Eugenio Bortolini from the University of Bologna.
8) archaeological research campaign in Al Tikha, Rustaq, directed by Prof. Sara Pizzimenti from the University of Pisa.
9) A project concerning the exploitation of dolphins, and marine mammals in general, in the Arabian Peninsula from prehistory to the pre-Islamic period, directed by Dr. Elena Maini from the University of Rome “La Sapienza”.
10) archaeological research campaign in the Governorate of Al Batinah South, in the neolithic site of Hayy Al Sarh near Rustaq, directed by Dr. Niccolo’ Mazzucco from University of Pisa.
11) archaeological research campaign in Dhofar concerning ancient communities from the Iron Age, directed by Dr. Silvia Lischi from University of Pisa