Oman history
Oman’s unique position between Africa and Asia places it at the centre of human development and the spread of early civilisation. Trade contacts with ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley highlight the importance of this location, which has been a blessing and a hindrance throughout its history. Persian dominance dictated Oman’s subsidiary role for more than 2,000 years, and then came the Portuguese, who dominated international trade in the Gulf and Indian Ocean for over a century. After the expulsion of the Portuguese in the 17th century, Oman controlled its own destiny, even though coastal Muscat and interior Nizwa were often battling for supremacy. Islam, of course, has played a crucial role in the country’s history. But the speed and scale of change brought about by the discovery of oil in the Arabian Gulf in the 1950s was unprecedented in world history.
Oman historical timeline
5,000BC
Early human settlements along the coast.
2,500BC
Copper trade from ‘Magan’ to Mesopotamia.
1,000BC
Falaj system of underground water channels developed; frankincense traded from Dhofar to ancient Egypt.
6th century BC
Persian Empire controls the region.
3rd century BC
Greek influence on Asian trade, followed by Romans.
3rd–6th century AD
Migration of Azd tribe from Marib into Oman.
AD570
Birth of Prophet Muhammad and final destruction of Marib Dam.
628
Islam arrives in Oman. First mosque built at Samail.
9th century
Sohar prospers under control of the Abassid caliphate in Baghdad.
1330
Arab geographer and writer Ibn Battuta travels through Oman.
1507
Portuguese control the major ports.
1650
Expulsion of Portuguese by Sultan Ibn Saif al Ya’arubi.
1744
Ahmed Ibn Said starts the Al Bu Said dynasty.
1830s
Greatest extent of Omani Empire with its capital at Zanzibar.
1853
‘Trucial States’ peace treaty concluded with the British.
1920
British support for Al Bu Said ruler after the Treaty of Seeb.
1925
First geological survey in the search for oil.
1946
Wilfred Thesiger leaves Dhofar to cross the Empty Quarter desert.
1950
Formation of the Trucial Oman Scouts, a defence force led by British officers.
1955
Sultan Said Bin Taimur reunites ‘Oman and Muscat’ with Nizwa.
1963
Oil first discovered at the Natih Field. Start of the Dhofar Mutiny.
1970
Sultan Qaboos takes control of Oman from his father Sultan Said.
1981
Oman is founder member of the GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) comprising Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman.
2001
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque opens in Muscat.
2010
Oman successfully hosts the Asian Beach Games.
2011
Minor demonstrations in Sohar following general unrest in the Middle East.
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