Bronze Age World

Reading ancient testimony

Ask who produced the document, for whom, and for what purpose. Distinguish its ancient creation from its modern edition or translation. Survival and excavation shape what can be read today.

Use the linked edition and reliability notes for the author, audience, transmission and limits of this particular source. Missing information is not an assurance of neutrality.

Document and modern access

Type: journal article and radiocarbon study
Publication: Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, vol. 55, 104501

Open DOI or stable record (opens in a new tab)

Records informed by this source

claim Nafūn demonstrates repeated coastal subsistence and coast-interior interaction, but the shell midden alone does not prove blue-water Indian Ocean voyaging.
Evidence confidence: high
informs · critiques interpretation · Interpretive discussion and site limits
Limits stronger maritime claims.
supports · provides archaeological observation · Site results and artefact discussion
Provides the coastal-use evidence.
relationship Research record — associated with
Evidence confidence: high
informs · dates · Radiocarbon results; 1012–536 cal BCE
Provides the calibrated range.
informs · provides archaeological observation · Excavation and artefact results
Provides the coastal subsistence and inland-link evidence.
relationship Research record — associated with
Evidence confidence: high
informs · dates · Radiocarbon results; 1012–536 cal BCE
Provides the calibrated range.
informs · provides archaeological observation · Excavation and artefact results
Provides the coastal subsistence and inland-link evidence.
relationship Research record — associated with
Evidence confidence: high
informs · dates · Radiocarbon results; 1012–536 cal BCE
Provides the calibrated range.
informs · provides archaeological observation · Excavation and artefact results
Provides the coastal subsistence and inland-link evidence.
date assertion Nafūn shell-midden complex — date assertion
informs · provides archaeological observation · Site survey, excavation and radiocarbon results
Provides the site sequence and calibrated range.
date assertion Western Indian Ocean connections — date assertion
informs · provides archaeological observation · Site results and subsistence discussion
Documents coastal use and inland links.
date assertion Intermittent use of the Nafūn shell-midden complex — date assertion
Evidence confidence: high
supports · dates · Radiocarbon results; 1012–536 cal BCE
Provides the calibrated range.
supports · provides archaeological observation · Excavation and artefact results
Provides the coastal subsistence and inland-link evidence.
event Intermittent use of the Nafūn shell-midden complex
Evidence confidence: high
supports · dates · Radiocarbon results; 1012–536 cal BCE
Provides the calibrated range.
supports · provides archaeological observation · Excavation and artefact results
Provides the coastal subsistence and inland-link evidence.
entity Western Indian Ocean connections
Evidence confidence: low
supports · provides archaeological observation · Site results and subsistence discussion
Documents coastal use and inland links.
relationship Nafūn shell-midden complex — located or analytically grouped within — Western Indian Ocean connections
Evidence confidence: high
supports · provides archaeological observation · Site survey, excavation and radiocarbon results
Provides the site sequence and calibrated range.
entity Nafūn shell-midden complex
Evidence confidence: high
supports · provides archaeological observation · Site survey, excavation and radiocarbon results
Provides the site sequence and calibrated range.
relationship Nafūn shell-midden complex — located or analytically grouped within — Dhofar
Evidence confidence: high
supports · provides archaeological observation · Site survey, excavation and radiocarbon results
Provides the site sequence and calibrated range.
property assignment Nafūn shell-midden complex — has property — Maritime exchange evidence
Evidence confidence: moderate
supports · supports · Site results and discussion
Provides coastal and inland material evidence.
relationship Nafūn shell-midden complex — connects coastal and inland systems — Oman Hajar and interior oases
Evidence confidence: moderate
supports · supports distribution · Artefact and subsistence discussion
Supports coast-interior interaction.