Sharma/Jethmun coastal area

Sharma/Jethmun coastal area is a region on the Indian Ocean that supports sea turtles and was also an important site of trade during the 10th through 12th centuries. The city of Sharma was a medieval trading port once considered “one of the busiest harbors of the Indian Ocean”; although only building foundations of the ancient city remain, archaeologists have found a rich collection of imported Chinese ceramics from the 11th century. Nearby is the contemporary town of Shihr, built in a mixture of Yemeni, Arab, and Hindi architectural styles, but now largely in ruins, save for two gates that have been restored.