The village of al Lizq in the Sharqiyah region of Oman is typical
for the settlements in this fertile region of Oman: a pleasant
village built of mud-bricks in the centre and more modern
breeze-block housing on the outskirts, surrounded by lush date-palm
gardens. A water-bearing falaj runs through centre of town where
also a number of date-boiling kilns can be admired. The village is
unique because it harbours the only known iron-age stairway in
Oman, running up the side of a 80 m high hill.
The staircase leads to the remains of a fortified citadel on the
summit of the hill. The staircase is in remarkably good condition
for a 3000 year old stone structure, but no longer exits for the
last 30 m or so, making the final part of the ascent somewhat more
tricky, with loose stones in part. Good shoes should thus be worn.
On the top of the hill one can find the remains of a fortification
with traces of walls and watch towers. The view from the top is
magnificent and one can well understand the strategic significance
of this fortified look-out post: to keep an eye out for Bedouin
raiders coming out the barren sands of the Ramlat ash Sharqiyah
desert just to the south of al Lizq. To reach the site one can best
take the turn-off into al Lizq village sign-posted on route 27, the
road leading to Mudhaibi and Sinaw from the Sur highway. Drive
through the centre of town, crossing a small humped bridge over the
falaj when reaching the round-about in the middle of town. The six
kilns each with there mud-brick chimney can also be seen at this
point. Continue due East to the back of the town. As soon as
passing the last house on the outskirts take a right off the graded
road onto a dirt track leading to the parking area at the foot of
the staircase, mentioned below. The ground is reasonable flat and
the dirt tracks can be navigated while driving carefully with a
normal saloon car.
The cache, hidden on the very top of the hill, consists of a
small lock-and-lock lunch box container camouflaged in a brown
sock. It contains the usual logbook and pencil and some items of
swag. Please be aware that you are walking over and between 3000
year old archaeological remains. Take care not to disturb any
ruins, however, the cache has been hidden in a location well away
from any man-made structures. As always, be careful when searching
under and between rocks. They are a favourite shelter from the sun
for scorpions and snakes! Please help in keeping Oman tidy by
leaving only your footsteps and a signature in the log book.
An unregistered geocoin has been left behind for the 'First to
Find' geocacher. It is in a white envelope containing the coin and
instructions how to activate it. Enjoy the hunt and savour the
unique location you are visiting.