Ali Al Kathiri

Biography

Ali became Director of the Museum of the Frankincense Land in 2020. The museum is located in Al Baleed Archaeological Park, southern Oman, a site which was added to UNESCO’s world heritage list in 2000.

As Director of the museum, Ali is responsible for managing four sites registered on the World Heritage List.  He develops strategies to develop and preserve the sites, follows up on the work of archaeological missions, conservation and restoration work, and rehabilitates the sites for visitors through developing facilities, services and visitor centers in line with the directives and controls of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.  He also supervises event programmes and creates opportunities at these sites to engage and support the community and tourism.

Ali is currently supervising a number of international research projects including a study of wooden planks from Al Baleed with researchers from University of Exeter; a study of Islamic coins with specialists from University of Naples; a study of the pre-Islamic coins with experts from National Museum of Oriental Art, Moscow and a study of the findings from Al Baleed and Sumhuram with the University of Pisa.

In July 2022, Ali took part in a capacity building workshop on World Heritage Risk Management in the Arab Region delivered by the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage – Bahrain.

Ali is a member of the National Committee for Museums in Oman since 2012 and a member of the International Council of Museums (ICOM).

At the British Museum

During his time on the International Training Programme, Ali was based in the Middle East Department, and spent his partner placement at Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums.

In 2018 participants were asked to plan and propose a temporary exhibition, drawing on their existing museum experience and the skills learnt during the programme.  Ali worked with Suruchika Chawla (India) on his Object in focus project, Pathfinders: Outrigger Pacific Canoes.

Ali’s place on the International Training Programme was generously supported by the Anglo-Omani Society.