The Asper Neolithic Village and Cave Complex is situated near Dhalqut on the Arabian Coast, Dhofar, Oman

This article documents the 2018 discovery and preliminary documentation of the Asper cave and architectural complex overlooking the Arabian Sea. The large cave associated with this 11-habitation complex is positioned high in the escarpment and readily visible from the sea when traveling between the fishing village of Dhalqut and Wadi Sayq in southern Oman. Documentation consisted of sketching, photographing and describing these sites. Detailed mapping of the extensive Neolithic architecture within the complex was deferred to a later date. These 11 habitations were identified as sites 1 through 11 beginning with the highest structure on the northeast and ending with the lowest structure in elevation to the southwest. Two deep alcoves, sites 4 and 5, are contained behind the typical Neolithic double wall structures similar to those documented at Khor Kharfot—a short distance away and farther north up the coast—and therefore apparently date between 6300 and 2300 BC. The walls within several habitations were constructed containing ground level drainage channels to release rainwater accumulating within these residences during the monsoonal seasons. The alcove associated with structure 5 is the largest of the two with an interior that contains rock wall platforms and the capacity to accommodate a large group—possibly serving as a communal food preparation and consumption locus similar to the activities in Khor Kharfot site II-4 during its Neolithic-Bronze Age Wall Building Phase in the Wadi Sayq cultural complex. Both alcoves are large enough to accommodate family residences and both have evidence of having served as temporary residences within the past 50 years.

Archeological Research Institute
Wadi Sayq Technical Research Series, Paper No. 10 2020f