The department of archaeology has been established by the directives of his majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said in 1993. The establishment of a department of archaeology, the Sultanate of Oman became the first country in the Arabian Gulf in addition to King Suad University.
Qualified academic and technical staffs have been recruited. Students joined the department with great interest. Through field surveys, excavations and investigations, the department has unearthed a considerable data and archaeological material. This material has become the core for a department museum, which became an attraction the college visitors. The department conducted several studies in various parts of the country including Salalah, Samiyl, Quruiat. The department is also engaged in studying Omani traditional societies.
The department has established cooperative links with Governmental institution, especially with the Ministry of Heritage and Culture. In several cooperative endeavours, archaeology students were training and worked for their graduation project. Furthermore, the department has established cooperative links with Europeans universities.
The department vision is to develop itself and become competent to serve the archaeological heritage of the Sultanate of Oman. It is also a crucial goal to become one of the credited departments the Gulf region. The mission of the Department is to build competence and maintain competence. This can be achieved by qualifying graduates of excellent education and training in the field. It is also have graduates with deep awareness and dedication to serve the national heritage of the country.
The competence building is qualifying an Omani cadre with skills and talents to carrying out archaeological survey, assessment, and excavations.
This cadre is also conscientious and aware of the importance of the national heritage of the country. It is also capable of working in a team and to work independently. This means a qualified cadre that understands and appreciates the human cultural diversity in Oman and in other parts of the world. Finally, a cadre qualified for employment in archaeology and management of cultural resources.