Nozouh village in Rustaq famous for archaeological discoveries

Rustaq: Located in the Wadi Bani Hinai in the Wilayat of Rustaq in the Governorate of South Al Batinah, the Nozouh village is famous for its plantations of various types of date palms, seasonal crops, oats, wheat, barleys, legumes and fruits.
Nozouh village is situated at a strategic location on the road connecting Wadi Bani Ghafir and the Niyabat of Al Houqain. It is also connected to the Wilayat of Rustaq and the Wilayat of Suwaiq. It is about 30 km from the centre of the Wilayat of Rustaq.
The village gained great importance due to its ancient archaeological discoveries that date back to 3000 BC. Archaeological tombs were discovered on the road leading to the Niyabat of Al Houqain.
The history of these tombs dates back to the period before Islam.
Ancient archaeological inscriptions were also discovered and those concerned believe that they might be related to the inscriptions found in Wadi A’Sahtan. These inscriptions date back to 3000 BC, whereas some of them to 1000 BC.
Such inscriptions are scattered across different places in the village. They represent littering and drawings that depict the events and environment experienced at that time.
Citizens said that foreign experts accompanied by a team from the Ministry of Heritage and Culture frequently come to the village. The ministry has registered these discoveries as part of its records. A visitor to the village can view such inscriptions and tombs.
Ya’aqoub bin Humaid Al Miqbali said the major archaeological landmark in Nozouh village is the “Al Sharaf Fort,” which is located on the top of the village and overlooks it from the mountain peak.
He added that caves, archaeological tombs, inscriptions and engravings on stones affirmed the importance of this historic village.
The caves are now used by the farmers as stores for preserving agricultural crops, citizens also stay in these caves during the daytime in the Holy Month of Ramadan and during summer as these caves have cooler temperatures due to the water flowing from the rocks that form the three springs, which are used for drinking, irrigation and remedies.
Nozouh village, as is the case with other villages and towns in different governorates and wilayats in the Sultanate, has during the prosperous reign of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said enjoyed a good portion of services, such as electricity, telecommunications, education, health and transport, as well as several schools.
The Meli-Al Houqain road, crossing through the village, is currently under construction.