BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
Compelling archaeological discoveries dating back as early as 5000 BC are featured at a photography exhibition hosted by Qatar Museums which recently opened at the Villaggio Mall.
Following its inaugural edition held in Kuwait last year, the second GCC Archaeology Exhibition highlights 60 photos of archeological sites, buildings and relics found in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman. It was launched on Monday on the sidelines of the 16th Meeting of Archaeology and Museums Undersecretaries from GCC countries.
The archaeological finds showcased at the expo reveal common cultural and historical features all six GCC countries share.
One of the more interesting archaeological sites that can be seen in the expo is the Hamad Town burial mounds found in Bahrain and considered the largest prehistoric graveyard in the world. In the tentative list of Unesco World Heritage Site, the thousands of burial mounds date back 4000 years and span the Dilmun and Tylos periods.
Also on display is a photo of Qal’at al-Bahrain, one of the most important archaeological sites in the Arabian Gulf inscribed in the Unesco World Heritage list. A massive fort crowns the ancient site which witnessed nearly 4000 years of continuous human occupation.
Two World Heritage sites from Saudi Arabia namely Al-Hijr Madain Saleh and Diri-yyah are also featured in the expo. Over a hundred rock-cut monumental tombs with elaborate facades can be found at the Al-Hijr Madain Saleh. The capital of the first Saudi state, Diri-yyah has among its main sights the Salwa Palace, the largest on the site comprising four storeys.
Qatar’s first and only World Heritage site Al Zubarah is also showcased in the expo. A major tourist attraction in the country, the site consists of 450 residential units and 21 towers surrounded by defensive walls.
Also a significant archeological marvel in Qatar on show is the Murwab Fort regarded as one of the oldest forts and the biggest Islamic site in Qatar which dates back to the Abbasid period. It has 12 rooms and a well and is surrounded by 250 houses and a mosque.
Some of the most magnificent forts of Oman including the Al Awabi, Al Masna’a and Khasab as well as Nakhal and Nizwal castles and Harat Al Sebani, a must visit site for tourists, can also be seen at the exhibition.
Photos of ancient pottery, jewellery and weaponry produced thousands of years ago by early settlers in the six GCC states can also be found at the expo which runs until June 12.
Regular meetings of agents responsible for archaeology and museums in the GCC are being held resulting to decisions which constitute significant progress in joint efforts to develop these fields and enhance cooperation between GCC countries and international organisations.
The recently concluded meeting hosted by Doha, has among others, explored the support available for celebrating social and cultural history and antiquities in GCC countries including the creation of an electronic database for archaeological sites, and efforts to combat illegal trafficking and trade of antiquities.
The Peninsula
