Ancient agricultural landscapes in Southeast Arabia: Approach and first results of an archaeological, geo-archaeological, and spatial study of the Masāfī Palm Grove, Emirate of Fujairah

Julien Charbonnier (1) , Louise Purdue (2) , Carine Calastrenc (3) , Emmanuelle Regagnon (4) , Thomas Sagory (5) , Anne Benoist (4)

1 ArScAn - Archéologies et Sciences de l'Antiquité
2 CEPAM - Culture et Environnements, Préhistoire, Antiquité, Moyen-Age
3 TRACES - Travaux et recherches archéologiques sur les cultures, les espaces et les sociétés
4 Archéorient - ARCHEORIENT - Environnements et sociétés de l'Orient ancien
5 Musée d'Archéologie Nationale

Located in the northern part of the Hajar mountains (UAE), the oasis of Masāfī benefits from abundant copper and water resources and a strategic location at the crossroad between the western piedmont and the shore of the Gulf of Oman. Our project aims at reconstructing the dynamics and evolution of this oasis. An interdisciplinary approach was adopted for this purpose, based on a combination of archaeological, geoarchaeological, geomorphic, spatial, and botanical study. This article presents the methodology and the first results of our investigation in the southern part of the palm grove (Emirate of Fujairah) and more specifically: the mapping of the palm grove and the surrounding valley; the excavation of Iron Age hydraulic structures near the site of Masāfī-1; and the study of a test pit dug inside the palm grove. Thus, we will put forward first hypothesis on landscape use and evolution in the valley of Masāfī.

Mots clés: irrigation; soil; GIS; geoarchaeology; Oasis

Domaines: Archéologie et Préhistoire; Géographie

Julien Charbonnier, Louise Purdue, Carine Calastrenc, Emmanuelle Regagnon, Thomas Sagory, et al.. Ancient agricultural landscapes in Southeast Arabia: Approach and first results of an archaeological, geo-archaeological, and spatial study of the Masāfī Palm Grove, Emirate of Fujairah. Proceedings of Water and Life in Arabia Conference, 14th - 16th December, Dec 2014, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. ⟨halshs-01792812⟩