Ancient agriculture in Southeast Arabia: A three thousand year record of runoff farming from central Oman (Rustaq)

• We conduct a multiproxy investigation of runoff system in Oman. understand formation processes, function, and soil/water management strategies. Runoff agriculture sustained small-scale farming from the 8th c BCE to mid-20th century. Data suggests farmers maximized orogenically-driven precipitation narrow catchments. Crop production specializes hydraulic technology diversifies after 9th CE. is key hydro-agricultural strategy that has proven efficient arid areas. Research Arabia on development, maintenance, durability abandonment this scarce. A (cartography, sedimentology, pedology, geochemistry, paleo-ecology chronology) was conducted recently abandoned terraced area Rustaq, Northern The aim characterize formation, function driving factors behind its success. Cycles cultivation were identified during Iron Age II/III periods (specifically 750–450 BCE), Early Pre-Islamic Period (PIR) 350–200 Middle Islamic 8–10th C CE, 13th-14th CE) late period 17th CE later). This expansion perenniality possible thanks to: 1- available water (local micro-regional orogenic despite regional aridification these periods); 2- suitable soils (weathered geological outcrops, probable aeolian /dust particles); 3- combining crops husbandry; 4- progressive increase agricultural specialization (crops grown techniques) parallel with diversification technology. These results are some degree accordance known phases settlement intensification economic growth, but also reveal persistence rural livelihoods harsh conditions for which archaeological traces very