Maritime culture of the early civilizations adjacent to the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea

The Persian Gulf has been considered as a major commercial highway since the distant past until now. Archaeological documents and historical texts prove the claim that the nations of this region were very skilled in seafaring and maritime trade, and their maritime dominance and extensive world trade with the ancient ports of Indochina, the Red Sea, and the coast of East Africa is undeniable. In this research, an attempt has been made to examine the first maritime efforts of the civilizations located on the shores of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Based on archaeological findings, the presence of merchant groups in the northern and southern regions of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea has been proven since the beginning of the 7th millennium BC. The history of these groups shows that over time they engaged in shipping, trade, fishing, pearl making, agriculture and other diverse economic professions. In the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC, there are more colorful evidences of these types of economic activities between the maritime and backport areas. In addition to economic exchanges, navigation among the seas led to the sharing of cultural affairs of different regions far away from the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.