Mapping spatial patterning of Bronze Age towers in Oman according to water flow accumulation

Abstract

Water played an undeniably significant role in the origins of complex societies across the Near East, but political complexity in regions like Southeast Arabia diverges dramatically from the more well-known histories of Egypt, the Levant and Mesopotamia. Through quantitative analysis, this paper investigates spatial associations between water availability and Umm an-Nar towers in Adh Dhahirah Governorate of Oman. We hypothesise that ancient Umm an-Nar people targeted high water flow accumulation areas for major settlements with towers. Our results lead us to reject the null hypothesis of no spatial association between tower settlements and water and help clarify the role of water in the rise of complex polities.