Theme 1:
Paleoclimate and Paleoenvironment in the Oman Peninsula:
 

- Shifts between humid and arid phases in prehistory and historical periods.

- Methods of studying ancient climate and environment in the Oman Peninsula.

- Paleo-climate and its influence on settlement and human activities.

- Sediments and geological formations as environmental indicators.

- Ancient water resources and the development of irrigation systems.

- Human–environment interactions in the Oman Peninsula.

- Using environmental data to reconstruct regional history.

- Natural resources and their distribution across time.

- Palaeobotanical and palaeozoological studies for understanding ancient biodiversity.

Theme 2:
The Oman Peninsula in the Prehistory (Palaeolithic to the Late Pre-Islamic Period)
 

- Cultural and societal developments in prehistoric times.

- Patterns of settlement and human mobility during the Stone Age.

- The development of lithic industries in prehistoric times.

- Settlement patterns, urban development, and socio-economic transformations in the Bronze Age.

- Settlement patterns, cultural developments, and socio-economic transformations in the Iron Age.

- Cultural changes in the pre-Islamic period.

- Regional and international interactions before Islam (trade, cultural influences).
 

Theme 3:
The Oman Peninsula during the Islamic Period
 

- Cultural and societal developments in the Early Islamic Period.

- Urban and settlement growth during the Islamic Periods.

- Religious and civil architecture during Islamic Periods.

- The role of Oman in maritime and overland trade networks.

- Omani ports and their role in cultural exchange during the Islamic ages.





 

Theme 4:
Rock Art and Palaeography Studies in the Oman Peninsula
 

- History of archaeological research on rock art in Oman.

- Rock art sites: geographical distribution and cultural significance.

- Techniques and methods of Omani rock art production.

- Symbolism of motifs and decorations in Omani rock art.

- Chronology of Omani rock art.

- Themes in Omani rock art: animals, humans, abstractions, tools, inscriptions.

- Comparative studies between Omani rock art and regional parallels.

- Documentation and preservation efforts for rock art sites.

- Application of modern technologies in the study and analysis of rock art.










 

Theme 5: 
Built Heritage in the Oman Peninsula
 

- Forms of traditional architecture in Oman’s diverse environments (rural, mountain, coastal, etc.).

- Forts and castles: architectural, functional, and decorative features, and their defensive, social, and cultural significance.

- Traditional construction techniques and their environmental sustainability.

- Historic villages and settlements as models of living architectural heritage.

- Challenges of preserving built heritage amidst urban transformations.

- Experiences in conservation and adaptive reuse in Oman.

- Documentation and architectural survey projects in Oman.

- Management and safeguarding of architectural heritage.

- The role of environment and climate in shaping local architecture.

- Built heritage and its role in shaping Omani cultural identity: place, memory, and community identity.

- Integrating traditional and contemporary architecture: investment and tourism utilization.

- Legislation and policies for the protection of architectural heritage.

- Intangible heritage related to buildings: rituals and practices, oral traditions about old structures, and links between architecture and traditional social life.

Theme 6:
Maritime and Underwater Archaeology in the Oman Peninsula
 

- Major discoveries and surveys along the Omani coasts (shipwrecks, ancient ports, submerged artifacts).

- Case studies of potential underwater sites in Oman and their historical significance.

- Shipwrecks and port infrastructure in antiquity.

- Modern technologies in underwater archaeology: sonar, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), 3D imaging, underwater drones, and geomatics.

- Challenges facing underwater archaeology in Oman.

- Oman’s maritime role in ancient trade networks.

- Traditional Omani shipbuilding (e.g., ghanja, baghla) and their relevance to submerged archaeological sites.

- Regional and international cooperation in safeguarding maritime heritage.

- Preservation and management strategies for Oman’s submerged cultural heritage.

- Oman’s submerged cultural heritage in national and international legislation and policy.

- The role of local communities and fishermen in protecting maritime heritage.

- Oman’s maritime cultural tourism (e.g., archaeological diving) as a tool for awareness-raising.