Page 40 - 2022UNESCO ICDH Newsletter_vol.4
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A Glimpse Into Oman's Introduction:
The Sultanate of Oman, like other countries of the world, seeks to
preserve its diverse historically accumulated heritage that is made of
Documentary Heritage three elements. The first element is tangible heritage represented by
archaeological properties such as defensive buildings, tombs, ancient
irrigation canals, creative buildings, archaeological lands, ancient human
settlements, nature reserves, etc. The second is element is intangible
heritage represented by traditional knowledge, crafts, authentic arts,
popular sports, traditional games, folk cuisine, etc. The third element is
documentary heritage represented by written human thought as well as
rare manuscripts and unique historical documents of great importance
and value.
This article addresses documentary heritage, highlighting the reality
of this type of heritage in the Sultanate of Oman and reviewing the Omani
experience in relation to preserving and sustaining documentary heritage.
1. Background Information on Documentary Heritage in the Sultanate of Oman:
The Sultanate of Oman has tremendous documentary heritage that includes:
· Manuscripts: on various fields of knowledge.
· Documents: Governmental, Civil, Private, Letters: (Official, Personal, etc.).
· Political and trade agreements.
· Contracts, instruments, etc.
· Aflaj documents: these represent records related to water division management
(quotas) among the beneficiaries of the traditional Aflaj irrigation system (These
documents are unique to the Sultanate of Oman, as far as I know).
Humaid Siaf Al Nofli
Director of the Department of Culture, The Oman National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science
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