Our next call was to a fine museum containing one hall devoted to culture and one hall to maritime history and particularly to the history of Dhows. Oman and Salalah in particular are still home to the building of traditional wooden dhows.
Over time some 23 designs of dhows have evolved for all kinds of purpose, trading, fishing, carrying great cargoes or for military purposes. The unique latten sails of the dhow with one or two masts is an efficient rig and the Arabs used sophisticated astrolabes to navigate by the stars. I could have spent much longer than the 30 minutes available but I bought an excellent book to read up on this craft when I get home.
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