News

Over Two-Millennia-Old Parthenon Marbles Reveal Hidden Colours and Exquisite PatternsLondon, 12 Oct (ONA) --- A recent study has revealed hidden colors and intricate patterns on a 2,500-year-old Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles.Contrary to the popular assumption that these ancient Greek statues were pure white, the study uncovered a vibrant history of the used colors and details on the sculptures.The study was published in the journal Antiquity."The Parthenon sculptures at the British Museum are considered one of the pinnacles of ancient art and have been ...

GCC Committee Mulls 10-Year Cultural StrategyMuscat, 9 Oct (ONA) --- The GCC General Cultural Committee today held a meeting at Al Bustan Palace Hotel in Muscat during which it discussed the GCC Cultural Strategy 2020-2030.The meeting reviewed the GCC states' annual plan for organizing cultural events, a vision for developing joint action between culture and tourism sectors, the GCC centre for translation and Arabisation and ways to meet interest in the Arabic language.In addition, the meeting addressed the protection of moral, religious and family values in GCC societies. It also ...

Oman, Saudi Arabia Ink MoU to Promote Cultural Cooperation Riyadh, 8 Oct (ONA) --- Within the framework of the visit of HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, an official session of talks was held in Riyadh today with HH Prince Badr bin Abdullah Al Saud, Minister of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The talks discussed an array of topics pertaining to culture and joint cooperation between the two countries in the cultural field. On the sidelines of the visit, HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said and HH Prince Badr bin ...

ROHM to Present Exciting, Amazing Performances during October 2023 Muscat, 3 Oct (ONA) --- The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) announced the line-up of performances which will fill the calendar for October 2023. Following the successful launch of the season with the stunning opera The Barber of Seville, October is packed with shows, which offer variety and choice to audiences. For two nights, on 11 and 12 October at 7pm, dynamic jazz duo Igor Butman and Randy Brecker will perform a soul stirring concert with a sextet of charismatic jazz musicians, filling the ROHM Musical ...

Lebanese Information Minister Visits National Museum Muscat, 2 Oct (ONA) --- Ziad Makary, Minister of Information of the Republic of Lebanon visited the National Museum today. The guest toured various galleries of the museum during which he was briefed on artefacts and antiques depicting scenes of Oman’s authentic life. The Lebanese Minister also got acquainted with the Corner of Sultan Qaboos bin Said (Dearest and Finest of Men) at the Renaissance Gallery. He also saw some Royal, personal antiques gifted to the late Sultan by some leaders. The National Museum is the ...

Oman Participates in Islamic Culture Ministers Conference in Doha Doha, 25 Sep (ONA) ---- The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth took part in the 12th conference of ministers of culture in the Islamic World. Themed “Towards Renewing Cultural Action in the Islamic World,” the conference is being held at the Qatari capital, Doha from 25 to 26 September 2023. Sayyid Said bin Sultan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture, head of the Sultanate of Oman’s delegation, said in a ...

Archaeologists Unearth Largest Cemetery Ever Discovered in Gaza Gaza Strip, Palestine, 24 Sep (ONA) --- Palestinian workers in the Gaza Strip, Palestine have found dozens of ancient graves, including two sarcophagi made of lead, in a Roman-era cemetery; a site dating back some 2,000 years that archaeologists describe as the largest cemetery discovered in Gaza. Workers came upon the site last year (2022) during the construction of an Egyptian-funded housing project near Jabaliya, in the northern Gaza Strip. Since then, crews have worked to excavate the 2,700-square-meter ...

Archeologists Discover Unknown Ancient Indo-European LanguageAnkara, 24 Sep (ONA) --- Archaeologists in Çorum, Turkey, have uncovered a previously unknown ancient language at the historic site of Boğazköy-Hattusha, similar to Hittite cuneiform but with distinct symbols and characters.The origins of this language, tentatively named "Boğazköy Language," are under investigation to determine its relationship with the Hittites and whether it predates or follows their existence.Boğazköy-Hattusha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was once the capital of the Hittite Empire during the ...

Oman a Guest of Honour at Riyadh International Book FairMuscat, 21 Sep (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman will be the guest of honour at Riyadh International Book Fair, which will be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from 28 September to 7 October 2023.Sayyid Said Sultan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture, said that Oman’s participation as a guest of honour at Riyadh International Book Fair this year assumes great significance due to the importance of the event in the region.Sayyid Said pointed out that the nomination reflects ...

Half a Million Years Old Wooden Structure Discovered in ZambiaLusaka, 21 Sep (ONA) --- Archaeologists have made an astonishing discovery, unearthing the oldest wooden structure known to humanity, dating back nearly half a million years.Found along a riverbank in Zambia near Kalambo Falls, this simple yet intriguing structure consists of two interlocking logs with deliberately crafted notches, suggesting advanced craftsmanship for its time.The find indicates the possibility of humans settling in communities with reliable access to water and abundant resources during the Stone Age. ...

Network of Ancient American Indian Earthworks Named to List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Ohio, 19 Sep (ONA) --- A network of ancient American Indian ceremonial and burial mounds in Ohio described as “part cathedral, part cemetery and part astronomical observatory” was added Tuesday to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Preservationists, led by the Ohio History Connection, and indigenous tribes, many with ancestral ties to the state, pushed to recognize the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks for their good condition, distinct style and cultural significance — ...

Oman Participates in Amman International Book Fair 2023 Muscat, 19 Sep (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, is taking part in Amman International Book Fair, which is held in the Kingdom of Jordan during 21-30 September 2023. The participation comes within the framework of cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries. It also aims to enhance cultural communication between Omani and Jordanian publishing houses. Oman’s pavilion at the book fair sees a great turnaround of ...

Ministerial Decision Forms New Board of Cultural Club Muscat, 18 Sep (ONA) --- HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth has issued a ministerial decision forming the new board of directors of the Cultural Club for three years as follows: Dr. Mohammed Ali Al Balushi as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Dr. Saud Nasser Al Hanini as Deputy Chairman. The board also comprises the following as members: Dr. Muna Habras Al Sulaimi, Badr Salim Al Abri and Muawiya Salim Al Rawahi. --- Ends/Sooban/Anas ...

Rare Dinosaur 'Barry' up for Sale at Paris Auction Paris, 18 Sep (ONA) --- An almost fully complete dinosaur skeleton will be sold at auction in Paris next month. The rare 150 million-year-old camptosaurus was first discovered in the 1990s in the US by palaeontologist Barry James. Named Barry after the man who found him in Wyoming, experts said he is "extremely well preserved". The skeleton is expected to fetch up to $1.2 million on 20 October 2023, BBC news reported. Dating back to the late Jurassic period and after two restorations in 2000 and 2022, Barry measures ...

Omani Documentary Short-listed in Kerdada African Short, Documentary Film Festival in Algeria Muscat, 18 Sep (ONA) --- The Omani documentary “Al Zeeg”, directed by Salah Al Hadhrami, is taking part in the Kerdada African Short and Documentary Film Festival, held in Algeria from 30 September to 2 October 2023. The Omani documentary was short-listed alongside 35 films from 12 countries. Al Zeeg, produced by Oman Film and Theater Society, showcases in a theatrical way the relationship between Omani people and the cultivation and production of Omani sugarcane. It also ...

Old Landscape Paintings Show Merging of Art, Science: Study Washington, 17 Sep (ONA) --- A recent study led by Oregon State University reveals the merging of art and science in 19th-century landscape paintings.These paintings, depicting preindustrial forests in the northeastern United States, offer valuable insights into historical landscapes before modern scientific investigation.The research, published in Ecosphere, explores addressing concerns about artistic accuracy in these paintings and paves the way for future collaborations between scientists and art historians.The study ...

Archaeologists Unearth 13-14 Century Caravanserai in KazakhstanAstana, 17 Sep (ONA) --- A team of archaeologists from Atyrau, Kazakhstan, embarked on an intriguing excavation project, unearthing the historical relics of a 13th-14th century caravanserai named “Taskeshu”, situated along the famed Silk Road.This extensive dig spans 800 square meters and reveals a significant trading hub, marked by fired brick construction, fortified facades, and towers. Over 50 days, the team excavated 24 chambers and seven towers, pinpointing city gates and uncovering coins from Tokhtamysh, the ...

ROHM Kicks off New Season with Orchestra Sinfonica Nationale dell Rai Muscat, 17 Sep (ONA) --- The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) will kick off its new season with the Orchestra Sinfonica Nationale dell Rai. The National Radio Orchestra of Italy will be conducted by the acclaimed international maestro Michele Gamba. Joining the orchestra on stage will be Ettore Pagano on cello. The concert will consist of a programme of overtures and movements from bel canto composers Paisiello, Cimarosa, and Rossini of the early 19th century. The orchestra is much in demand on the stages of ...

New University Acquires Oldest Surviving Book About British CheeseLondon, 14 Sep (ONA) --- The earliest surviving book about British cheese has been acquired by the University of Leeds library’s special collections.“A pamflyt compiled of Cheese, contayninge the differences, nature, qualities, and goodnes” was previously unknown and thought to be unpublished.The 112-page vellum-bound manuscript was handwritten in the 1580s, covering all aspects of cheesemaking from ancient to Tudor times, describing the production of many different English and Welsh cheeses and their ...

Picasso's Masterpiece Expected to Fetch $120 MillionNew York, 14 Sep (ONA) --- A Picasso masterpiece entitled “Femme à la montre” is expected to fetch more than $120 million when it goes up for auction this fall.The 1932 oil painting will take center-stage at a two-day event at Sotheby’s in New York in November, when the collection of Emily Fisher Landau goes on sale.The painting was one of the first major art pieces New York art collector Fisher Landau acquired.Its upcoming auction is poised to attract global attention, offering a historic opportunity to own a piece of ...

National Museum Celebrates Returning Syrian Artefacts to Their Homeland from the UK Muscat, 13 Sep (ONA) --- The National Museum celebrated today the returning of Syrian artefacts back to their homeland from the British Museum in the United Kingdom (UK). This was achieved through coordination with military departments concerned with local and international affairs related to artefacts. The move also comes within the framework of the mediation efforts adopted by the National Museum, and its support for efforts to preserve Syrian cultural heritage damaged during the years of ...

Stranger Things Star Millie Bobby Brown Enters World of WritingNew York, 2 Sep (ONA) --- Millie Bobby, a star of “Stranger Things” series, entered the world of writing by releasing her first novel, a historical narrative titled “Nineteen Steps”, which will be published tomorrow, 13 September 2023, according to HarperCollins.The novel is inspired by real-life experiences of Millie Bobby’s grandmother, who survived the 1943 Bethnal Green tunnel disaster in the United Kingdom, which claimed the lives of 173 people.Millie Bobby Brown is currently preparing to film the fifth and ...

ROHM Kick Start Its New Season with “The Barber of Seville” Muscat, 10 Sep (ONA) --- The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) announced that the start of the new season is packed with exciting musical performances filling the calendar from September 2023 to May 2024. The dazzling opera which will open the season with traditional elegance and fanfare is The Barber of Seville from popular composer Gioacchino Rossini. The opera will be performed by the Orchestra Nazionale Sinfonica della Rai and Intermezzo Choir conducted by Antonino Fogliani, with a spray of glittering opera ...

Oman to Participate in World Heritage Committee’s Meeting in RiyadhMuscat, 6 Sep (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman will take part in the plenary meeting of the World Heritage Committee’s 45th session, due to be held in Riyadh from 10 to 25 September 2023.Oman’s delegation will be led by Dr. Hamad Saif Al Hamami, Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the UNESCO. The delegation also includes experts in tangible cultural heritage, representing the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), the Environment Authority and Oman ...

Bait Al Zubair Reading Contest Winners Announced After Conclusion of 3rd Edition Muscat, 5 Sep (ONA) --- Bait Al Zubair Foundation today announced names of the winners of the 3rd edition of the School Reading Initiatives Competition. The contest was organized by Bait Al Zubair Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Education. The closing ceremony of the competition was held under the auspices of Dr. Abdullah Khamis Ambusaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education. First place in this edition went to Ras Madrakah School for Basic Education, for ...

National Museum Issues Special Edition of Collection in Marine Science for Omani Navigator Ahmed bin Majid Muscat, 4 Sep (ONA) --- The National Museum has issued a special edition titled “Collection in Marine Science”. The issue documents the greatness of what the Omani navigator Ahmed bin Majid Al Saadi wrote and reviving his marine prowess and navigational creativity. The collection documents the origin of the manuscript titled “Kitab al-Fawa’id fi ‘Ilm al-Bahr wa al-Qawa’id”, (Collection of Manuscripts of Benefits in the Science of the Sea and Rules, as ...

ROHM Unveils Details of New Season 2023/2024 Muscat, 29 Aug (ONA) --- The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) today unveiled details of the programme for the Season 2023/2024. The season, entitled “Stars, Legends, Dreams” is built from an amazing variety of shows, including four popular operas, eight exhilarating Arab music concerts and shows, four classical concerts, two extraordinary ballets, one jazz evening, two world music stars, and six spectacular shows. ROHM affirmed that there is so much magic to enjoy and so much inspiration to be gained during the new season. The ...

Documentary Earns Oman Best Arab-European TV Production AwardMuscat, 27 Aug (ONA) --- Oman TV’s “Bawabat Al Jumaa (Friday Gate) won the Best Documentary Award in joint Arab-European TV production programme titled Between the Banks.The film, authored by director Abeer Nasser Al Hajri, topped the productions of 13 Arab and European TV organizations.The documentary saw the participation of cameraman Mus’ab Al Rawahi, assistant director Asaad Al Busaidi, aerial photographer Mohammed Al Hadhrami and editor Alya Al Braiki.Abeer told Oman News Agency (ONA) that the film focused on ...

Portraits of Doomed Arctic Explorers Go to Auction in London London, 27 Aug (ONA) --- An original portrait photograph of a famous Arctic explorer, taken shortly before the doomed Franklin expedition, will be auctioned in London next month (September 2023). Capt Francis Crozier and 13 other senior officers were photographed in May of 1845. The complete set of 14 portraits will be auctioned by Sotheby's, BBC news reported. Two images in the set, including Capt Crozier's, are missing from the only other original collection of these portraits known to exist. Sir ...

Ancient Maya Artifact Discovered Mexico City, USA, 24 Aug (ONA) --- An ancient Maya artifact has been discovered in Mexico.Researchers with the US National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) uncovered the ceramic dish during excavations at the Cansacbé archaeological site. It is located around 7 miles from the port city of Campeche in the Gulf of Mexico.The multicolored dish was found in a male burial dated to the Late Classic period (600 to 900 A.D.) of Mesoamerican history, INAH said in a statement.The Maya were notable for creating the only fully developed writing ...