Sumhuram Archaeological City & Khor Rori (UNESCO)
Perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the freshwater lagoon of Khor Rori, Sumhuram (Sumhuram Archaeological Park) is one of the four constituent sites of Oman's UNESCO World Heritage Land of Frankincense. Founded in the 3rd century BC by the Kingdom of Hadramawt, this fortified maritime trading outpost controlled the global export of supreme Dhofari Boswellia sacra resin for over eight centuries. Historical accounts identify Sumhuram with the ancient port of Moscha Limen described in the 1st-century AD Roman sailing guide 'Periplus of the Erythraean Sea'. Excavations have revealed massive stone fortifications, monumental city gates, an ancient temple dedicated to the moon god Sin, storage vaults for thousands of tons of frankincense resin, and Roman coins, Indian pottery, and bronze vessels proving its pivotal role in trans-oceanic trade.
“The legendary 3rd-century BC port city of the Land of Frankincense, from which the world's finest frankincense was shipped to Rome, Egypt, and China.”
— Tourism Compass Heritage Committee