Omani villages store unique archaeological and geological treasures.
Siyaq village is one such example. This beautiful village is located on a mountainous hill overlooking the valley's path of Wadi Bani Khalid (North Al Sharqiyah). It attracts tourists of all sorts to appreciate and indulge in the unique geological formations surrounding the village.
At the village entrance, the visitor is welcomed by the tower.
The cylindrical tower played a crucial role in the life of the villagers by helping them to warn against enemies in the olden days.
The tower still represents this village's cultural symbol, surrounded by ancient walls built in the style of ancient Omani houses made of mud and stones.
There are many geological formations which attract tourists. Some of these formations resemble the faces of animals and birds.
This village has exceptional terrain forms, different from other forms and natural phenomena from an aesthetic, scientific, geological or tourist point of view.
Its natural setting gives this village a unique value and importance to tourists and specialists in geological affairs.
"Nature has endowed the Sultanate of Oman with richness in its topography and geography over its wide area, and this topography can be seen in many places, including distinct rock formations, formed by wind, rain or water, which gave it an aesthetic, exceptional and distinctive shape," says a visitor who has an interest in geological sites.
"These shapes were formed due to erosion factors and the effects of climatic conditions on mountainous areas tens of thousands of years ago. The spread of these shapes on the slopes of the mountains surrounding the village attracts the visitor's attention. These rocks look very ordinary, but as soon as you approach them, their shapes resemble the shapes of animals and birds," said another geologist.
Siyaq and its neighbouring villages, such as Sibt, Mazraa and Seeq, are characterised by unique geological formations.
Many geological sites in the Sultanate of Oman are famous for rare rock formations, the most important of which are the rock garden in the Wilayat of Al Duqm, the rock formations in the Wilayat of Qurayat and several eastern regions of the country.
"The sad thing is that many tourists visit these sites and do not adhere to the best touristic practices. Moreover, these sites face erosion. So it is necessary to conduct studies to protect and promote them," said an Omani tour guide.
TEXT & PHOTOS BY YAHYA AL SALMANI
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