National Museum hosts symposium on documenting astronomical heritage
Muscat: The National Museum hosted today the "National Symposium on Documenting Omani Astronomical Heritage" in collaboration with the Oman Society of Astronomy and Space.
The event was held under the auspices of Salem Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum. A number of researchers and enthusiasts in the field of astronomical heritage attended the event.
The symposium aimed to bring together individuals interested in Omani astronomical heritage from various scientific disciplines, providing a platform to exchange knowledge and experiences on how to preserve and document this heritage, which is an integral part of Oman's rich history. Additionally, the symposium seeked to raise awareness about the significance of this heritage on the lives of Omanis and to introduce future generations to its profound and diverse aspects, including astronomical applications in agriculture, fishing, navigation, and the climate.
Dr. Issa Yahya Al Shuaili, Chairman of Oman Society of Astronomy and Space, said in his speech: "This National Symposium highlights the Omani astronomical heritage as one of the important aspects of Oman's rich history, reflecting the depth of our ancestors' knowledge in astronomy and its significant role in forming their daily lives, whether in navigation, agriculture, the division of Aflaj (irrigation systems), and other fields".
He added that preserving this scientific and cultural heritage is not only about documenting the past, but rather an essential step toward strengthening the national identity and leveraging the knowledge of our ancestors to develop modern studies in astronomy. This perspective aligns with the aspirations of Oman Vision 2040, which emphasizes the importance of identity, heritage, and culture as key elements in building the future, as well as enhancing research and innovation to serve as a fundamental pillar for community development.
The Chairman of Oman Society of Astronomy and Space announced the launch of the national initiative to document Omani astronomical heritage, which aims to gather and document traditional knowledge about astronomy and highlight Omanis contributions in this field. He pointed out that this initiative is not about preserving heritage only, but also an opportunity to connect the past with the present and future, while addressing the loss of heritage whose sources are becoming scarce as its narrators and experts age.
The symposium shed light on the importance of preserving this astronomical heritage within the framework of Oman Vision 2040, which prioritizes "preserving, documenting, and disseminating heritage globally", thereby enhancing the position of the Sultanate of Oman regionally and internationally. The need to highlight and document the research efforts of Omani scientists in this field was also emphasized, given the obscurity as a challenge to this heritage.
The symposium included three sessions that covered various astronomical topics related to Omani astronomical heritage. In the first session, two important papers were presented, focusing on agricultural heritage. The first paper, "Distribution of Aflaj Using Stars", explored the relationship between astronomy and water distribution techniques in the Sultanate of Oman using the location of stars. The second paper, "Omani Navigators' Use of Zodiac Signs, Mansions, and Stars".
The second session, discussed three maritime astronomical heritage. The first paper, "Distribution of Aflaj Using al-Lamad", explained how water is divided in traditional Omani irrigation systems (Aflaj) using celestial patterns. The second paper, "Stars, Fishing Seasons, and Sea Strikes as Defined by Omanis", clarified the significance of stars in determining fishing and sailing times. Additionally, the paper "Agricultural Astronomical Heritage: An Anthropological Study of the Astronomical Heritage of the Hobiot-speaking Communities in Dhofar Governorate, Sarfait Village" examined the relationship between astronomy and agriculture in Sarfait village. Another paper, titled "Astronomy and its Relationship with Weather and Climate in the Sultanate of Oman," was also presented.
The third session covered topics related to astronomical calculations and manuscripts, including a paper that discussed "Astronomical Awareness Among Omanis: Sheikh Omar bin Masoud al-Manthri's Book and al-Hajri's letter as a Model," along with another paper titled "The Sidereal Year and the Calculation of the Cycle," which explored how Omanis used the stars to determine seasons and times of the year. Finally, the session concluded with the paper "Astronomy and Military Tactics among the Omanis."
The symposium concluded with a series of recommendations, including emphasizing the importance of the national initiative to document Omani astronomical heritage and publishing related research widely. There was also a call to include Omani astronomical heritage in school curricula to enhance astronomical awareness among future generations and to strengthen the position of the Sultanate of Oman in the international astronomical arena.
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