Wadi Al Helo – the name of the valley gives the first hint to its abundance of water and fertile ground: „helo” literally means “sweet” in Arabic but it is also used as “nice” or “beautiful”.
The river bed of Wadi Al Helo is dry most of the year, however, it is known to become a strong torrential river during the rainy season. Due to the fact that Wadi Al Helo is nestled in the surrounding mountains, the water flows down along the slopes of the mountains and flows off through the valley. Therefore, Wadi Al Helo has always been intensively used for various forms of agriculture.
WATER WELLS IN WADI AL HELO
Many of the old wells, which can be easily found in the upper parts of the valley, indicate a high level of phreatic water. In the past, it could have been about 10 to 12 meters below the ground.
Due to the present climate conditions and perhaps also excessive water consumption, during the last few years level of groundwater has gone down remarkably. Nevertheless, some deep wells in Wadi Al Helo still provide large amounts of water.
WADI AL HELO IN… NEOLITHIC PERIOD
Archaeological research at the site revealed that the copper was smelted in Wadi al Helo during the transition from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age, which corresponds to the Umm an-Nar period locally. At present, this is the earliest proof for metallurgy in SE Arabia.
The archaeological site is situated on a flat area (24.991466, 56.218642) on a geologically old wadi terrace extending along the base of the western slope of the major chain of the Hajar Mountains.
During prehistoric times, copper was an important raw material for the production of embellishments, ornaments, and tools. The availability of wood, or charcoal, to be exact, was the main factor that made metal production possible. Rich vegetation and a large number of trees in Wadi Al Helo that were present here in the past, allowed the site to smelt copper until Iron Age.
MYSTERIOUS WATCHTOWER
North of the Islamic watchtower (24.990518, 56.218285), we come across a peripheral round stone structure, divided into four quadrants by crossed walls, which seems more like a prehistoric grave at first. In fact, as archeological excavations revealed, it used to be a watchtower from the Umm An Nar period.
“According to Gerd Weisgerber, the excavator of the smelting site at Maysar in Oman, such small towers are known features at sites of the Umm an-Nar phase in the Omani Mountains. They are considered to have been watchtowers – probably with an elevated and protected platform well above ground level, comparable to the nearby historic watchtower.” 1
WATCHTOWER FROM ISLAMIC PERIOD
During the Islamic Period, the site has been used extensively as a settlement, as indicated by the many stone structures and the graveyard area, located next to the watchtower from Islamic Period.
Interestingly enough, another tower was built during the Islamic period right next to the one from Umm an-Nar period.
“The tower does not have an entrance at ground level. As visible, the door to the tower is some 4 m above ground on its west side. The lower part of the tower is completely filled with rubble, creating a floor level at the height of the entrance. On this level, a central column of stones and clay is erected: obviously for supporting an upper platform constructed of wood, which is not preserved today.
The upper platform did not have a roof. It is surrounded by the castellated crown of the tower wall. Towards the slopes in the east and northeast, this wall is higher than on the other sides – probably for the protection of the defending crew against gunfire from the mountain. There are no loopholes in the wall of the upper platform. Instead, the top of the wall has merlons, and there are indications of a raised wooden construction from which the defenders could shoot through the gaps.” 2
PEOPLE OF WEALTH AND INFLUENCE
Features from the Islamic period at the site of Wadi Al Helo are prominent not only in the form of the watchtower but also in sheds and stables and some pre-modern, two-story buildings that were built of unhewn wadi pebbles and plastered with clay and – according to the locals they were associated with tobacco farming (24.990757, 56.217068).
The remains of a wall with fortifications, the watchtower, and other fortified look-outs in Wadi Al Helo, seem to belong to the whole complex and they are a clear indication that its former residents were people of wealth and influence and the ruins reflect well the 19th-century agricultural community of Wadi Helo. The eminent buildings were used in the 20th century.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
To reach the Archeological Site in Wadi Al Helo, you do not need a 4×4 car. The road is a dirt road, however, it is easily accessible with a sedan car. If you have a 4×4 car, I encourage you to explore Wadi Al Helo further, as it is an awesome track leading through the beautiful farm areas, with rich flora and fauna. Keep in mind that it is a protected area. Lastly, you can watch the footage created in Wadi Al Helo in my video below:
REMEMBER:
- Do not leave any garbage behind, including food. Even organic waste can take months to biodegrade and meanwhile it will attract animals. It may not only make them stop eating their natural food and rely on what humans leave behind but also it may make them sick.
- Have always a bag ready to collect trash left behind by other inconsiderate people – in the end, you are saving nature.
- Hike or camp over gravel and rocks. In some areas, the vegetation can take years to grow back.
- Leave natural and historical items where you find them.
- Minimize cooking over a campfire, use the stove instead – it is less impact on the wilderness.
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FIELD GUIDE TO EMIRATES
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I hope you found this article about Wadi Al Helo helpful and it gave you an idea of where to head to next weekend. If you are looking for more historical places to visit nearby, I recommend you to check: Forgotten Story Buried in Wadi Haqeel or Is Al Jazirah Al Hamra – “Ghost Town” Really Haunted?
1 Johannes Kutterer, The Archaeological Site HLO1, 2013, page 85
2 Johannes Kutterer, The Archaeological Site HLO1, 2013, page 191
