Rich and diverse, the traditional craft industries of Oman are among the most important cultural survivals in the Arabian Peninsula. Their origins can be traced back to man's earliest activities in the Gulf and Mesopotamia, and their subsequent development directly reflects both Oman's distinguished history as a trading nation, and the innate resourcefulness of its people. Across the country, and for many centuries, Omanis have worked with the raw materials available within their local environment and those obtained through trade, to create objects of both functional utility and exquisite artistry.

Until recently, however, there had been little research into this fascinating subject. It was also apparent that the rapid development and modernisation of the Sultanate would pose real challenges to the survival of the country's craft industries. The Omani Craft Heritage Documentation Project was therefore initiated in 1996 by His Highness Seyyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, with the aim of assessing and documenting the different types of crafts in all parts of the country. For more than three years, researchers and authors Neil Richardson and Marcia Dorr travelled throughout the country interviewing hundreds of individual craftspeople, from the jirz-makers of Musandam to the potters of Dhofar, and recording their craft traditions. Research methodology included the documentation and photography of raw materials, tools and equipment, production techniques, the products made and the context within which these products are made and used.

The outputs of the Project are twofold. First there is an archive of information and images pertaining to Oman's craft traditions. This archive is a valuable resource for scholars, and for the country as a whole, for it is only by means of recorded knowledge that educators can sensitise the next generation to the importance of protecting cultural heritage, and it is only by this means that responsible, effective preservation measures can be implemented. The second output is The Craft Heritage of Oman, a two-volume publication that presents Oman's craft traditions to an international audience for the first time. The aim of the publication is to establish a global identity for Oman's crafts industry, thereby elevating the status of Omani artisans and contributing to the perpetuation and promotion of Oman's heritage and culture.

The Craft Heritage of Oman is foremost a tribute to Oman's artisans and the rich traditions they embody. The authors consider the origins and development of the country's craft industries, including the relationship between craft usage and lifestyle. They provide a comprehensive record, region by region, of the design and production techniques of the diverse crafts to be found across the Sultanate. A wide-ranging artefact catalogue combines with a concluding review on the changing role of craft industries in a rapidly modernising society, to make this the most significant publication on the traditional craft heritage of south-east Arabia.