Publications
SWAC: Sea Water Air Conditioning potential for sustainable energy saving cooling sultanate of Oman 2010–2025
Seawater Air Conditioning (SWAC) emerges as a viable solution for sustainable cooling in Oman, offering significant energy savings and reduced carbon emissions. A techno-economic evaluation at the Al Jissah-Yitti site in Muscat demonstrated that implementing a 15,000 TR SWAC system could slash power consumption to just 1 MW compared to conventional air conditioning, with a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of $0.019/kWh, a return on investment of 26.7%, and a payback period of 4.6 years. Similar benefits were projected for a proposed datacenter in Quriyat/Qalhat, with potential net-zero emissions and 70% lower operational expenses (OPEX) than conventional cooling systems. This pioneering study assesses SWAC's feasibility, technical viability, and economic potential in Oman, marking the first comprehensive analysis of its kind in the region and supporting Oman's net-zero emission goals by 2050.
Qalhat, A Medieval Port City of Oman. From a field of ruins to UNESCO
Qalhat, once a bustling medieval port city in Oman (11th–16th century), has been revealed through nine years of interdisciplinary archaeological research (2008–2016) led by Axelle Rougeulle (CNRS) and supported by Oman's Ministry of Heritage. The Qalhat Project uncovered the city's significance as a key maritime hub, blending historical, architectural, and environmental analyses to reconstruct its rise, peak, and decline. Findings highlight advanced urban planning, trade networks spanning the Indian Ocean, and the city's eventual abandonment due to shifting economic dynamics. This monograph synthesizes extensive fieldwork, offering insights into Qalhat's transformation from a ruin-strewn site to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, underscoring its cultural and historical importance.
Qalhat, a Medieval Port City of Oman
The medieval port city of Qalhat, Oman, has been revealed as a wealthy, cosmopolitan metropolis through extensive archaeological research initiated in 2008. This study uncovered the city's plan and chronology, identifying key structures such as mosques, fortifications, and water supply systems, including the Great Mosque built by Bibi Maryam around 1300. Excavations also reconstructed Qalhat's craft and economic activities, as well as its regional and international commercial links, highlighting its significance during the 13th to 16th centuries. These findings underscored Qalhat's Outstanding Universal Value, leading to its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018.
Seismic catastrophes in historical times in Arabia – Destruction of the city of Qalhat (Oman) in the 16th century
Historical records and archaeoseismological analysis reveal two devastating earthquakes that struck the ancient city of Qalhat, Oman, over 300 km from active plate boundaries. The first earthquake, estimated to have a magnitude of Mw 5.5 in 1497 AD, caused significant damage (intensity VII) but was repaired. A second, far more destructive quake (magnitude Mw 6.5–7.0, intensity X-XI) between 1580 and 1592 left the city in ruins, from which it never recovered. The study suggests that the Tiwi Fault or Qalhat Fault may have been responsible for these seismic events, challenging the perception of Arabia's interior as earthquake-free.
Ship Timbers from the Islamic Sites of al-Balid and Qalhat, Oman: Sewn-plank technology in the Indian Ocean during the 10-16th centuries CE
A groundbreaking analysis of ship timbers from the Islamic sites of al-Balid and Qalhat, Oman, reveals advanced sewn-plank technology used in Indian Ocean maritime trade between the 10th and 16th centuries. This study challenges long-standing Orientalist narratives by demonstrating that medieval shipbuilding in the region was sophisticated and independent, debunking the myth of European technological superiority. Using a multidisciplinary approach—combining material analysis with textual, iconographic, ethnographic, archaeological, and experimental evidence—the research reconstructs the design and operation of these sewn-plank ships, providing new insights into their role in connecting East Africa, Arabia, India, and China. The findings enrich our understanding of medieval maritime communities and their technological achievements.
Echinoderm Diversity in the Arabian Sea and the Sea of Oman
A comprehensive survey of Oman's coastal habitats unveiled a richer echinoderm biodiversity than previously anticipated, with 75 species documented across four classes: holothuroids (21), echinoids (20), crinoids (6), and asteroids (28). Notable discoveries include the first observation of Holothuria nobilis north of the Red Sea and Holothuria arenacava near Muscat, alongside the life record of the starfish Ferdina sadhensis. The study also identified several unidentified specimens, hinting at potential new species. A significant shift in echinoderm community structure was observed at Ras-Al-Hadd, suggesting either environmental changes or a bio-geographic barrier limiting species dispersal. Conducted across five regions—Musandam, Capital area, Sur-Qalhat, Masirah, and Dhofar—the survey provides critical insights into the marine biodiversity of the Arabian Sea and Sea of Oman.
Qalhat-Hurmuz: Its Place in the History and Economy of the Western Indian Ocean in the Later Middle Ages
A study challenges the widely accepted narrative of early Shirazi migration to East Africa, proposing instead that the so-called 'Shirazi legend' emerged during the 12th to 15th century Hormuz-Qalhat period. This conclusion is supported by a comprehensive analysis of pottery assemblages and settlement patterns across the western Indian Ocean, from Makran/Baluchistan to Kilwa. The research reveals a significant rise in settlement activity, peaking in the 14th (43 sites) and 15th centuries (53 sites), indicating a thriving trade network centered around Hormuz and Qalhat. This finding reshapes our understanding of socio-economic and political dynamics in the region during this period.
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