Monumental circular structures, so-called towers, are one of the most prominent remains of the 3rd millennium BC in Eastern Arabia. Large ditch systems surrounding the tower have been discovered at several of these sites. Recent excavations at the tower Building II at Bat in the Sultanate of Oman conducted by the University of Tübingen revealed a new addition to the known ditch systems connected with the towers. Although it has been suggested in the past that these ditch systems were used for irrigation, defence or protection against floodwater, no agreement on this issue could be reached as publications on most of these ditches are limited. Within this article, the results of the excavations at Building II will be presented and its ditch system will be put in context with other ones, previously published. Equipped with this new data, the potential function of these ditch systems will be discussed.

Monumental circular structures, so-called towers, are one of the most prominent remains of the 3rd millennium BC in Eastern Arabia. Large ditch systems surrounding the tower have been discovered at several of these sites. Recent excavations at the tower Building II at Bat in the Sultanate of Oman co...