APPROPRIATE METHODS OF RECORDING IN ARCHAEOLOGY AND FOR CONSERVATION 
THE CASE STUDY OF AL-BALEED ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK, OMAN 
Michael Jansen, Mario Santana 
Dr.-Ing. Michael Jansen, jansen@sbg.rwth-aachen.de 
Arch. Mario Santana Quintero, Msc., santana@sbg.rwth-aachen.de 
Department of History and conservation of Architecture, University of Technology Aachen RWTH, Germany, 
www.sbg.rwth-aachen.de 
KEY WORDS: Recording in Archaeology, Recording for Conservation, Archaeological Park, al-Baleed, Oman 
ABSTRACT 
The appropriate application of recording methods in the developing of the archaeological park 'al-Baleed' in south Oman in the past 
five years has not only contributed to create a permanent record of its past and present, but also to understanding its importance and 
thereby ensuring its conservation. 
Support provided by the Cultural Fund of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs has permitted the University of Technology 
RWTH Aachen to collaborate with the Government of Oman in the development of an archaeological park with the purpose of 
promoting the understating of cultural heritage in this region; as well as to give training to local experts and develop legislation for 
protecting monuments in Oman. 
Al Baleed, the old Dhofar, in the vicinity of the modern town of Salalah in South Oman was one of the important seaports, which had 
trade connections by ship to South-East Asia at least from the 8th to the 16th century AD. Its fast decline has to be seen in the direct 
connection with the colonial expansion of the Portuguese under Vasco da Gama after 1498 AD. 
As archaeological park, al Baleed, will support cultural tourism in Oman. Jointly with three other sites representing the traditional 
frankincense trade of the Roman 'Arabia Felix', in 2000 al Baleed was accepted by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The 
inauguration of the park is expected for spring 2002. 
Figure 1 : Friday Mosque, al-Baleed after excavation and conservation works (Photo by M. Jansen, 1997) 
1. DOCUMENTATION IN ARCHAEOLOGY 
Documentation in archaeology plays an essential role as in many cases it may become a primary source for research after the removal 
of earth and structures. The traditional recording is mainly done by hand through (vertical) profile and (horizontal) planum in 
orthogonal measuring methods.