Ten Key Facts about the Jewel of Muscat

About the Dhow
  1. The project involves the reconstruction of a 9th-century sailing ship in Oman.
  2. The Jewel of Muscat is based on a range of historical sources, including the findings of the Belitung Wreck, which was discovered in 1998.
  3. The 18 metre ship has been built without nails. The planks were sewn together with coconut fibre, and had to fit perfectly so as to ensure that the ship is watertight. The wood is protected by a layer of goat fat mixed with lime.
  4. The planking on the ship is made from Afzelia africana timber from Ghana.
  5. The Jewel of Muscat was built in a specially constructed ship yard at a beach in Qantab, Oman.
  6. The ship's voyage began in Oman, stopping in India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia, before ending in Singapore. The journey retraced parts of the historic maritime trade route between Arabia and the Far East.
  7. During its voyage, the team used 9th-century navigation techniques.
  8. The voyage began in February 2010, with the Jewel of Muscat and arriving in Singapore July 3rd 2010.
  9. The project is being funded and supported by the governments of Oman and Singapore.
  10. Every stage of the Jewel of Muscat's construction and voyage has been covered on this website. The site contains videos, photographs and interactive features. The project has been filmed.

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