ISMEO lauds Oman for engagement with Italy’s archaeologists

MUSCAT: The International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies (ISMEO) honoured Salim bin Mohammed al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, and nominated him as a honorary member of the Institute for 20 years for the ministry’s outstanding support to the Italian archaeological researches in the Sultanate of Oman.

As a mark of honour, Prof Sergio Ferdinandi bestowed on him a plate by Prof Adriano Rossi, President of the ISMEO, an Italian research institute.

An event marking the handing over of plate and honorary membership was held at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in the presence of dignitaries and Italian Ambassador Federica Favi.

Based in Rome since 1934, the ISMEO conducts study, training and research programmes related to the cultures and countries of Asia and Africa and their interactions with the Mediterranean basin. It promotes and develops cultural and scientific contacts and collaboration with institutions and international organisations and funds archaeological research, excavations and publications internationally.

“ISMEO is considered one of the most prestigious institutions in this field in Italy and internationally. Since 1970s, it financed several archaeological missions and sent Italian university academics and scholars to the Sultanate of Oman,” said Favi.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy is the other strong financial supporter of the Italian archaeological research in the Sultanate of Oman, with projects across the country held in partnership with ISMEO.”

“ISMEO has been supporting a wide range of studies that were key to understand the historical developments of South Arabia since the Neolithic and its relations with the neighbouring regions,” commented ISMEO Vice-President, Prof Sergio Ferdinandi.

“A significant example of the cooperation with the Omani authorities is the research in Daba collective tombs in Musandam, where La Sapienza University of Rome and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism have been excavating since 2013 bringing back the traces of a sophisticated and connected society that can attract the interest of tourism in the area. With the cooperation of the Embassy of Italy, a training project for local guides was held to build the capacity and strengthen the ownership of the local communities. Minister Al Mahrouqi’s support has been fundamental in this regard,” he said.

Upon receiving the award, Al Mahrouqi expressed gratitude for the acknowledgement and reaffirmed his appreciation for the strong collaboration with Italy in the field of heritage protection as a way to promote tourism in the Sultanate of Oman.