Land of Frankincense

The Land of Frankincense is a cultural landscape in the Dhofar region of southern Oman associated with the exploitation and trade of frankincense. It links living groves of frankincense trees with archaeological sites that formed part of the ancient incense trade network.

The site brings together visible remains of ports, caravan routes and groves of Boswellia sacra, the tree that produces frankincense resin. Key features on the landscape include coastal ruins where incense was exported and inland stands where trees are tapped for resin. Interpreting archaeological remains and seeing working frankincense trees are central reasons for visits.

The landscape reflects millennia of frankincense production and long-distance trade that connected southern Arabia with markets across the Red Sea and into the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean. Archaeological remains at ports and caravan stops document settlement and commercial activity tied to that trade.

The property lies in Dhofar governorate in southern Oman, centred on sites and groves near the city of Salalah along the southern Arabian coast. The landscape includes coastal and inland locations across the Dhofar plain and adjacent wadi systems.

• Frankincense production: The resin comes from the native Boswellia sacra tree, which is harvested by making small cuts in the bark and collecting the dried resin.
• Best season to see the landscape: The Dhofar region experiences the Khareef monsoon season from about June to September, when hills become noticeably greener and coastal fog appears.

What to See #

• Principal components: Three principal components combine archaeological sites and living frankincense groves: the ancient port and settlement area at Khor Rori (Sumhuram), the frankincense tree stands and production landscape at Wadi Dawkah, and the archaeological remains associated with inland caravan routes around Shisr (often linked in tradition with 'Ubar').