Saturday 25 / October / 2025
Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism today inaugurated the Meteorite Corner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Duqm, located in Al Wusta Governorate. The initiative is part of the ministry’s efforts to leverage geological heritage and enrich the cultural and tourism experience in the Sultanate of Oman.
The corner features a collection of rare meteorite samples from the “Jiddat Al Harasis” meteorite field, offering hotel visitors a close-up look at these celestial objects and an opportunity to learn about their history and scientific value. It also highlights Oman’s efforts to preserve meteorites as a significant cultural heritage.
Among the exhibits is a sample from the “Jiddat Al Harasis 91” meteorite, the largest meteorite fall discovered in Oman to date. The meteorite’s fall path stretches approximately 52 kilometers, with over 700 fragments collected, weighing a total of around 4,600 kilograms. Documented scientific studies indicate that the meteorite fell at its original site more than 12,600 years ago.
The corner also includes a sample from the “Jiddat Al Harasis 73” meteorite, classified as a stony chondrite of type (L6). This is the second-largest meteorite fall discovered in Oman. Scientific research shows that the meteorite had been orbiting within the asteroid belt with a mass exceeding 20 tons, and its fall at the original site is estimated to have occurred 15,600 years ago, during the Paleolithic era. A total of 3,638 fragments have been documented, with a combined weight of 620.9 kilograms, scattered along a 25.8-kilometer path.
The display aims to educate hotel guests—both domestic and international—about the importance, scientific value, and legal frameworks surrounding meteorites, in accordance with the Cultural Heritage Law. Meteorites are considered among the most compelling evidence of the solar system’s formation. The initiative also showcases Oman’s efforts in collecting, preserving, and studying meteorite samples.
This pioneering initiative marks a significant step in strengthening public-private partnerships to highlight Oman’s unique natural treasures through modern and diverse platforms. It aligns with Oman’s vision to integrate culture and science into a holistic and immersive tourism experience.
