Figure 1
The distribution of towers in red (number of towers), major drainage channels and precipitation (ca. 4014BP). Ophiolite and limestone geology, with their associated aquifers, indicated with dots and diagonal hash respectively. See ’data availability’ for data sources. The towers mainly cluster along significant stream catchment areas fed by ophiolite aquifers.
Figure 2
Map of the tower sites shown in Figure 2 with associated site names in table. Towers sites mentioned in the text are highlighted in white, those with evidence of lowering groundwater mentioned in the text are highlighted in red.
Figure 3
Single cist burials from the Wadi Suq period dominate the south vs monumental tombs in the north. On the right, the large single cist cemeteries (after Kennet et al. 2025).
Figure 4
Chronological development and distribution of Type 1 (earliest) to Type 3 (latest) beakers and cups, making clear the increased focus on the north (after de Vreeze forthcoming).
Figure 5
Shows the Karstic aquifers of the northern Emirates in association with major Wadi Suq settlement hubs represented by their monumental cemeteries. Economic niches, such as coastal mangroves, are indicated. From de Vreeze (forthcoming; based on the geological mapping of Phil Macumber in Kennet et al. 2025).
Table 1
Tower sites with toponyms and number of towers used for Figures 1 and 2. Tower date partially updated from Mortimer 2019.
| SITE nr. | SITE NAME | TOWERS | SITE nr. | SITE NAME | TOWERS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bidiyah | 2 | 19 | Maidan | 1 |
| 2 | Nud Ziba | 1 | 20 | Yika | 1 |
| 3 | Tell Abraq | 1 | 21 | Nizwa | 2 |
| 4 | Kalba | 1 | 22 | Tanuf | 2 |
| 5 | Ajran | 1 | 23 | Bahla – Ghubra | 1 |
| 6 | Qumayra | 3 | 24 | Izki | 2 |
| 7 | Abu Suwaih | 2 | 25 | Firq | 4 |
| 8 | Safri | 2 | 26 | Wihi al-Murr | 1 |
| 9 | Shukur | 1 | 27 | Sufayha | 1 |
| 10 | Hili | 8 | 28 | Bisya/Salut | 9 |
| 11 | Ghoryeen | 1 | 29 | Khadil | 3 |
| 12 | Khadra Bani Dafa’a | 1 | 30 | Bat al-Zebah | 1 |
| 13 | Ibra | 1 | 31 | al-Hasi | 5 |
| 14 | Maysar | 1 | 32 | Banah | 2 |
| 15 | Fath | 1 | 33 | Bat | 14 |
| 16 | Khashbah | 7 | 34 | Amlah | 1 |
| 17 | Falaj al-Shrah | 1 | 35 | al-Ligma | 1 |
| 18 | al-Tikha | 3 |