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Fulayj: a Late Sasanian fort on the Arabian coast

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 June 2018

Nasser Said al-Jahwari ,
Derek Kennet ,
Seth Priestman  and
Eberhard Sauer
Nasser Said al-Jahwari
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khoudh, Muscat 123, Oman
Derek Kennet*
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
Seth Priestman
Affiliation:
Department of History, Classics and Archaeology, University of Edinburgh, 4 Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK
Eberhard Sauer
Affiliation:
Department of History, Classics and Archaeology, University of Edinburgh, 4 Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK
*
*Author for correspondence (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Archaeological evidence for a Sasanian presence in the ‘Uman region of Eastern Arabia is sparse. Recent excavations at the site of Fulayj in Oman have, however, revealed it to be a Late Sasanian fort, the only securely dated example in Arabia, or indeed on the western shores of the Indian Ocean more generally. AMS dating supports the ceramic chronology proposed for the site, demonstrating occupation until the Islamisation of South-eastern Arabia in the early seventh century AD, and also briefly into the very Early Islamic period. Fulayj fort provides new insights into Sasanian military activities during this crucial period of Arabian history.

Keywords

ArabiaSasanian periodmilitary architectureIslamisation
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 92 , Issue 363 , June 2018 , pp. 724 - 741
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd, 2018 

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