In an article published in Antiquity, archaeologists suggest that cymbals found in Oman are concrete evidence of cross-cultural interaction between southeastern Arabia and the Indus Valley during the Bronze Age.1
Excavations at the site known as Dahwa 7 (DH7 for short), located at the foothills of the Al-Hajar Mountains in northern Oman, were initiated in 2014 by the Department of Archaeology at Sultan Qaboos University. The researchers aimed to uncover remains of a settlement dating back thousands of years — and it can be said that their efforts were more than rewarded.
The DH7 settlement belongs to the Umm an-Nar culture, which dates back approximately 4,000 years. Previously, fragments of pottery, materials related to copperworking, and various remains of settled life had been uncovered in the area. However, in 2018, two copper objects stacked on top of each other were discovered inside a small, single-room structure designated as “S1”. Although the nature of these objects was initially unclear, chemical and morphological analyses later revealed that they were a pair of copper cymbals.
Image Credit: S. Al-Mamari
The structure designated as S1, where the cymbals were found, stands out due to its location within the settlement. It is situated at the highest point of the site and remains isolated from other buildings. Its architectural layout appears to support the possibility of ritual use. The interior contains multiple small platforms and plastered surfaces, while the exterior is surrounded by a relatively large plastered area. These features suggest that the building served a ceremonial or ritualistic function rather than being used for everyday activities.
The cymbals were discovered in the northwestern corner of the building, carefully stacked within a fill layer that had been sealed with a stone pavement. Because of this, archaeologists believe the cymbals were not deposited randomly, but rather placed intentionally—likely as a votive offering or sacred deposit.
Our knowledge about the significance of musical instruments—particularly cymbals—in that period remains limited. However, excavations from the same era in Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley have frequently uncovered musical instruments associated with religious ceremonies. This supports the hypothesis that the cymbals found in Oman were used for ritual purposes.
Chemical Analysis Reveals Arsenic, Nickel, and Antimony in Cymbals
Both cymbals are of the same size and exhibit similar craftsmanship. They measure approximately 13.8 cm in diameter, with a raised central embossment, and a 4.2 mm hole in the center of this embossment. Their thin edges and carefully shaped profiles clearly indicate that these objects were functional musical instruments.
Chemical analyses revealed that, in addition to copper, the cymbals also contain arsenic, nickel, and antimony. This composition is consistent with other examples of Bronze Age metalworking from Oman. Isotope analyses further suggest that the cymbals were made from raw materials sourced from known copper mines in the region, such as Nujum or Maysar.
Thousands of Years of Connection Between the Indus Valley and Oman
The form and size of the cymbals closely align with examples found in Indus Valley settlements such as Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. Other Indus-style artifacts discovered in Oman, including cooking vessels, seals, beads, and stone tools, suggest that Indus-origin communities lived and integrated within the region. Therefore, it seems highly likely that these cymbals represent a ritual musical practice connected to Indus traditions. In other words, it is possible that the cymbals were produced using local materials but with a foreign form and purpose.
Why Are Musical Instruments So Rare in Archaeology?
Music is as old as human history. However, musical instruments are rarely found in archaeological excavations. The reason for this is often the materials they are made from. Organic materials like wood, leather, or reeds decay over time. In contrast, metal instruments like cymbals form an exception to this rule. The cymbals found at Dahwa 7 are noted as the first and only well-documented examples discovered in the Arabian Peninsula. Even this aspect alone makes the discovery a milestone in Oman’s musical history.
- Douglas, K. A., Al-Jahwari, N. S., de Vreeze, M., Hesein, M., Weeks, L., & Pracejus, B. (2025). Bronze Age cymbals from Dahwa: Indus musical traditions in Oman. Antiquity, 99(404), 375–391. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2025.23[↩]