The pictures in this section aim to illustrate aspects of the history of the Gulf countries and their lifestyle, especially through the earliest photographic images.
The geographical sequence starts with the Gulf of Oman and begins from the time of the earliest illustrations made by visitors from the West. The range of subject matter extends to architecture, social life, markets and maritime activities, and political life. The images, mainly photographic, include also handwritten material and engravings from both wood and copper. Most of those to whom we are indebted for their records came from Europe and included political representatives, doctors, adventurous travelers, journalists and professional photographers.
