Oman today_ Samahram, also known as Sumhuram, Samharam, or Sumhurram, is an ancient port city located in the Khor Rori area of Dhofar Governorate in Oman. It lies near the city of Salalah, approximately 4 kilometers east of the town of Taqah, and is regarded as one of the most significant pre-Islamic archaeological sites in Oman.
Samahram was established in the 3rd century BCE by the Kingdom of Hadramawt (present-day Yemen) and served as a strategic port for the frankincense trade. It played a vital role in trade routes connecting southern Arabia with India, Egypt, and the Mediterranean.
In 2000, Samahram, along with other sites associated with the frankincense trade, such as Wubar, Al-Baleed, and Wadi Dawkah, was inscribed as part of the “Land of Frankincense” on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Today, visitors can explore the remains of its fortified walls, temples, frankincense storage facilities, and other ancient structures. A museum on-site offers further insights into the history and significance of this remarkable location.
To visit Samahram, travelers can head east from Salalah and pass through the town of Taqah to reach the Khor Rori area. The site is open to the public daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Samahram
