Old Omani Manuscripts

Omani researchers have said that there are an estimated 60,000 old Omani manuscripts in the possession of private and public libraries and some cultural institutions. Ten per cent of such old manuscripts are reachable and one per cent exist on the Internet.

Collection of old Arabic manuscripts began in Oman around 1876 on the foundation of the Ministry of National Heritage. The aim was to collect Arabic manuscripts which were in private hands.

It was possible to examine thousands of old Omani manuscripts. Hundreds of these, had been already catalogued.

Of the catalogued manuscripts, copies of the Koran, works on religious science, literature, philosophy, medicine, applied science, astronomy, history, and philology.
Many old Omani manuscripts were concerned with the falaj irrigation system, a system unique to Oman.

Manuscripts cover a wide period, ranging in date from 904 A.H. (1499 AD) until this century.