How the art of writing evolved into a powerful tool

Throughout the annals of human history, the art of writing evolved from a mere necessity to a powerful tool for preserving cultures and legacies. As civilisations flourished, leaving behind inscriptions became a way to etch their stories into the tapestry of time for generations to come.

The Sultanate of Oman, with its rich heritage, boasts of ancient inscriptions that span its landscape, tracing back to the remarkable era of the Bronze Age, when Omani ancient script was used. Among the fascinating historical relics, two distinct scripts hold particular significance - the Ancient Omani and South Arabian scripts — both were used during the Iron Age.

During this epoch, Oman witnessed the flourish of these two scripts, each with its unique character and purpose. The Ancient Omani script, comprised of 29 alphabets, and its South Arabian counterpart, shared the stage as integral components of the nation's linguistic heritage. Notably, the South Arabian script was predominantly discovered in the southern governorates of Oman, offering them a glimpse into their past.

Interestingly, a convergence of these two scripts is observable at the Oman Across Ages Museum, nestled in Manah in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate. This cultural haven serves as a repository of Oman's historical treasures, showcasing not only artefacts but also a shared heritage of scripts. A significant highlight at the museum is the South Arabian inscriptions in their natural state and original setting at Khor Rori in Mirbat. This location, steeped in history as a key port for the frankincense trade, is now designated as a Unesco World Heritage site.

The interesting factor is that the scholars have now deciphered Ancient Omani and South Arabian and this means they are now able to read it. That is not all, at the museum’s gallery the section specialising on the subject has the facility where one can type out the individual’s name in Arabic or English and it would translate it into both scripts — Ancient Omani and South Arabian. Visitors can also purchase ancient script merchandise from the museum shop.