An Archaeometric approach to reveal organic compounds via GC-MS analyses of two discovered Incense burners at Daba Al-Bayah

This study focuses on two terracotta incense burners discovered in the Daba Al-Bayah necropolis in the Musandam Peninsula (Oman), associated with an Iron Age collective tomb (LCG-2). Through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the organic residues preserved within these artifacts were analyzed to investigate their use and environmental context. The unveiling results revealed a combination of fatty acids and plant-derived sugars, confirming the use of these vessels for burning aromatic substances, likely derived from resins or plant materials present in the area at the time. These findings shed light on ritual practices in the Iron Age Arabian Peninsula and provide new insights on the paleoenvironmental context and ancient trade networks.