The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism inaugurated the Meteorite Corner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Monday as part of its efforts to utilize geological heritage and enhance the tourism and cultural experience.
The corner includes a collection of rare meteorite samples from the "Jiddat al-Harasis" meteorites, allowing hotel visitors the opportunity to view them up close and learn about their history and scientific value, in addition to the Sultanate of Oman's efforts to preserve them as an important cultural heritage.
The Meteorite Corner contained a distinctive sample of the Jiddat al Harasis 91 meteorite, which is the largest meteorite fall discovered so far in the Sultanate of Oman.
The path of the meteorite fall extends approximately 52 kg, and the number of pieces collected exceeds 700 meteorites, with a total weight of approximately 4,600 kg.
Documented scientific studies indicate that the date of this fall in its original location dates back more than 12,600 years
The corner also includes a meteorite sample from the Jiddat al Harasis 73 meteorite, which is classified as a stony chondrite meteorite of the L6 type. This meteorite fall is considered the second-largest meteorite fall discovered so far in the Sultanate of Oman. Scientific studies indicate that this meteorite continued to swim in the asteroid belt in space, weighing more than 20 tons. Its fall in its original location is estimated to be 15,600 years ago, during the Paleolithic period. 3,638 pieces from this fall have been documented, with a total weight of 620.9 kilograms, with a longitudinal scattering path extending 25.8 kilometers.
The display of these meteorites aims to inform hotel visitors, from inside and outside the Sultanate of Oman, of the importance of meteorites, their scientific and historical value, and the legal frameworks and legislation regulating them under the Heritage Law
Culturally, it is one of the most prominent testimonies of the formation of the solar system, in addition to highlighting the Sultanate of Oman's efforts in collecting, preserving, and studying meteorite samples.
The corner is expected to constitute a qualitative addition to the cultural and tourism landscape, especially given the Mandarin Hotel's strategic location and upscale hotel services, which will contribute to attracting both local and international visitors, enhancing the integration between the heritage and tourism sectors in the Sultanate of Oman.
This initiative is a pioneering step toward further partnerships between the public and private sectors to highlight Oman's unique natural resources through diverse and modern platforms, in line with the Sultanate of Oman's vision of making culture and science part of the comprehensive and integrated tourism experience.
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