Cave Discoveries In Oman

Discovering & Exploring Caves

- Simon Cahill

In the last months, enthusiastic cave explorers have investigated and surveyed three caves near the village of Hail Al Hareem, one of which is a significant discovery for Oman. This article documents the preliminary surveying results and history of exploring these caves.

Caves provide important windows to the geological, hydrological, archaeological& climatic history of the earth. They have been for long considered as the archives of the past. The carbonate units of the Al Hajar Mountains and the Dhofar Mountains offer large numbers of caves to explore and study. Many of these have been discovered and surveyed, but many are still to be found. For adventurers, the exploration of caves is a challenge and life-time experience that requires dedication and consuming efforts. Whether you are a professional geologist, a pioneering explorer or a weekend adventurer, Oman offers a world-class set of spectacular caves, many of which are unexplored. Since the 1980’s large caves such as the Majlis al Jinn (Khoshilat Maqandeli), the Selmeh System, Al Hoota Cave (Kahf Al Hoti) and the sinkholes of Dhofar have been discovered and documented. Today we can add another significant cave and two smaller ones to the list of wonders in Oman.

Who should claim to have discovered a cave is an interesting topic. Caves have been around for millions of years, humans have been present for more than 100 000 years, so in the year 2017AD is it right to be the one claiming to have discovered a cave? Pinpointing when a cave was first explored can be a simpler task. if a cave has been entered there are normally signs such as stone steps, wooden pegs, artefacts, remains and in modern times metal climbing aids such as pitons or bolts.