Oman / A'Dhahira / Ibri

The wilayat of Ibri possibly gained its name from the Arabic root 'a-b-r', which suggests 'crossing' or 'traversing', indicating its location on some of the main trading caravan routes.Today, Ibri is well known for its oil and gas fields which provide the country with its main revenue.

However, it is also renowned for the 'Bat Tombs', which were the second site in Oman to be listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The tombs were discovered in 1976 by a team of Danish archaeologists. The southern section of the site consists of 'beehive' tombs which contain up to five graves.

Another section contained tombs of a different nature, which appear to have been communal graves. In both types of tomb, red pottery similar to the 'Jumdat Nasr' ware from Iraq was found. According to UNESCO's World Heritage List, the Bat Tombs constitute, "..along with neighbouring sites, the most complete collection of settlements and necropolises of the 3rd millenium BC."

There are three main forts in Ibri: Jebel al Shahshah Fort, Al Aswad Fort and Ibri Fort, which contained a large 'Friday Mosque' (one in which many people pray on Fridays).

There are a number of springs and afalaj in the region, and a popular area with locals and visitors alike, is the village of Dhamm in Wadi al Ain: after the rains, water tumbles down Jebel Al Kawr and Jebel al Akhdar in spectacular cascades.