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The Qalhat Underwater Archaeology Project focused on the submerged maritime heritage of Qalhat. This ancient city was pivotal in trade networks connecting the Arabian Gulf, East Africa, India, and China from the 11^th to 16^th centuries CE. The project aimed to deepen understanding of the city’s historical maritime significance while contributing to its conservation and sustainable management, in line with the 1972 World Heritage Convention and the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. 

The mission was led by Professor Emad Khalil, UNESCO Chair for Underwater Cultural Heritage from Alexandria University, with support from Dr Ahmed Gadhoum, a Tunisian member of UNESCO’s STAB. The team included Mr Rasul Samadov, Programme Specialist, and Ms Jawida Mansour, Programme Associate, both at UNESCO Doha; and Mr Edouard Planche, Head of Unit for Underwater Cultural Heritage and Secretariat of the 2001 Convention at UNESCO Headquarters. They were joined by underwater archaeologists, photographers from Alexandria University, and representatives from the Omani Ministry of Heritage and Tourism. Mr Ayoub Bussaidi, Director of the Underwater Cultural Heritage Department at the Ministry, played a crucial role in ensuring the mission's success by facilitating logistical arrangements and coordinating with national and local stakeholders.

The survey focused on Qalhat’s 1.2-kilometre coastline and adjacent waters, characterized by rocky terrain and dynamic land-sea interactions, including Wadi Hilm, a seasonal waterway that once served as a natural harbour. Advanced technologies such as side-scan sonar and sub-bottom profilers were utilized to conduct a geophysical remote-sensing survey up to a depth of 30 metres. This was complemented by a diver-based study employing systematic grid patterns to relocate and document previously discovered Indo-Arabian stone anchors and identify additional submerged archaeological materials. The team also employed photogrammetry and GPS-enabled tools to create high-resolution 3D models of the discovered artefacts and integrate their spatial data into a Geographic Information System (GIS) platform.

The results provided significant insights into Qalhat’s maritime past, revealing evidence of ancient harbour activities and the city’s crucial role in regional trade. However, challenges such as the localization in the Wadi Hilm and the degradation of underwater archaeological materials due to environmental and human factors were also highlighted. Thanks to the support of the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), the retrieval and conservation of discovered artefacts including Indo-Arabian stone anchors are ongoing with plans to exhibit these items at a local visitor’s centre or museum to raise public awareness of Qalhat’s rich maritime heritage. 

The STAB mission also incorporated capacity-building initiatives to ensure knowledge transfer to Omani stakeholders. Local archaeologists and navy personnel were actively involved in the survey operations. This mission has set a precedent for collaborative efforts in protecting and promoting underwater cultural heritage in the region, underscoring the importance of international partnerships and the integration of advanced technologies and local expertise in safeguarding heritage sites.

The Qalhat STAB mission not only serves as a model for future underwater archaeology projects but also as a step toward fostering greater appreciation and understanding of the interconnected histories of maritime cultures across the Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf, and beyond.