Bisya and Salut Visitor Centre in Bahla Receives Over 7,000 Visitors
Bahla, 8 Jul (ONA) ---- The number of visitors to the Bisya and Salut Visitor Centre in Wilayat of Bahla since its opening in February 2023 until the end of May 2024 reached 7,546 of various nationalities from inside and outside Oman, according to the data of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MoHT).
The establishment of the Centre aims to prepare archaeological sites for tourism and to introduce the visitors' to the historical significance of the Bisya and Salut archaeological area, as well as the history of archaeological research in the region.
Ahmed Mohammed Al Tamimi, Director of the Bisya and Salut Archaeological Site Department at the MoHT said that the center explores the history of human settlement in the area and the cultural exchange between Oman and ancient civilizations. The establishment of the center is part of the MoHT’s efforts to develop the site following archaeological excavations and the maintenance of archaeological sites in the Bisya and Salut area, as well as the initiation of pathways to the archaeological sites, he explained.
He added that the roles and tasks of the center are part of the MoHT's plans to establish centers at several archaeological sites to provide information and present it more accessible and in various display methods.
The center, he said, features display boards summarizing the history of archaeological research in the area, different patterns of human settlement, types of tombs, and trade relations that existed between neighboring civilizations, as confirmed by archaeological excavations. The center is equipped with modern tools to enhance information delivery, including interactive screens distributed throughout the center.
In the field of research, the Director of the Bisya and Salut Archaeological Site Department explained that the center operates through its various departments to complement the Ministry's efforts in surveying, scientific documentation, and regular monitoring of archaeological sites. The center also oversees archaeological expeditions and provides support to researchers and enthusiasts in the fields of history and archaeology.
Al Tamimi pointed out that the archaeological artifacts on display are distributed across three main sections or halls: The Bronze Age Hall, the Iron Age Hall, and a section for World Heritage Sites. These sections collectively house 344 different archaeological pieces selected to support scientific texts in the exhibition halls. They represent various periods of human settlement in the region, highlighting the scale and nature of economic activities such as agriculture, trade, and mining. The exhibits vary from tools, stone and pottery utensils, seals, and bronze artifacts. Some pieces underscore external influences, reflecting Oman's relations with neighboring civilizations in the Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, and Persia.
He said that in the World Heritage List section, each Omani site listed in the World Heritage List has been allocated a dedicated display box with specific explanations provided. Additionally, the center includes a laboratory for archaeological pieces, a children's corner, a cafe, and a collection of interactive screens offering various content to visitors.
He emphasized that visitors will be able to build a smooth and comprehensive understanding of the site through this unique experience, using special carts from the center building to explore archaeological sites. They can also access interpretive points at each site, linking them to the information presented in the exhibition halls of the center.
Regarding the partnership with the local community, which is one of the main pillars of the Centre's work and the goals it aims to achieve, Al Tamimi explained that several meetings have been held with civil society institutions to crystallize this vision and formulate a sustainable partnership program. This includes preparing and implementing a series of events tailored to different segments of the local community, with a strong focus on knowledge-building for young people. The center has set up a special corner for children that combines playful and educational elements, aiming to instill targeted information. Additionally, the center has provided local community institutions with the opportunity to organize events and programs both indoors and outdoors within its facilities.
He said that as part of its duties and responsibilities, the Bisya and Salut Visitor Centre has begun hosting a number of trainees in the fields of archaeological excavations, tourist guidance, and the management and organization of community engagement events.
In hosting events and programs, Al Tamimi stated that the Bisya and Salut Visitor Centre provides outdoor spaces to attract various events for government entities, private organizations, and civil society institutions. These events support efforts to promote and raise awareness about the site, such as exhibitions for small and medium-sized enterprises, productive families, visual arts exhibitions, and hosting sporting events like hiking between archaeological sites and evening gatherings.
The center also activates a series of annual events such as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, International Museum Day, World Tourism Day, and others, which serve as opportunities to focus messages aimed at different segments of society and involve them in their execution.
Al Tamimi affirmed that a field classroom has been equipped and prepared to accommodate workshops, camps, and expeditions. These facilities are dedicated to programs that combine classroom and field applications. In the past year, 2023, a total of 13 activities were implemented, and a diverse program package has been prepared for the current year, 2024.
--- Ends/AH
