The Hassan Bin Mohammad Center for Historical Studies, in collaboration with the Department of Antiquities at Qatar Museums, held a panel discussion on Saturday, 17th October 2026, to mark World Archaeology Day. The session explored the history of archaeological research in Qatar, the significance of archeological discoveries in understanding the country’s history, the importance of submerged antiquities, and international efforts to protect underwater cultural heritage; in a way that emphasizes the integration of historical and archaeological research.
Moderated by Ustadha Noura Al-Humaidi, Head of the Research Division at the Department of Antiquities, the session featured presentations by Professor Robert Carter and Dr. Wafa Bin Suleiman. Mr. Mohammad Hammam Fekri, General Supervisor of Hassan bin Muhammad Center for Historical Studies, rendered the concluding remarks on the relationship between historical research and archaeological studies.
Al-Humaidi opened the session with an overview of the development of archaeological work in Qatar and institutions involved in it. She highlighted the participation of Qatari nationals in research and excavations, and the role of Mohammed Jassim Al-Khulaifi, who headed the Department of Archaeology and led the Qatari archeological mission for an extended period. She also noted the expanding cooperation with foreign archeological missions, including Japanese missions, alongside the continuing work of Qatari teams.
She then reviewed the development of institutions responsible for protecting antiquities, the establishment of the Qatar Museums Authority, and the interest in documenting, studying and preserving sites, leading up to the efforts that culminated in the inclusion of Al-Zubarah on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Her review provided an overview of the accumulated expertise and sustained efforts that have contributed to uncovering aspects of the country’s history.
Al-Humaidi then gave the floor to Professor Robert Carter, who reviewed the major stages of Qatar's archaeological history, from evidence of early human presence to Islamic sites and coastal settlements associated with pearl diving and trade. He explained that the discoveries reveal the diversity of the inhabitants' activities, including herding, fishing, and trade, while also demonstrating maritime connections that extended to distant regions across different times.
Carter discussed the excavations’ findings suggesting that some early Islamic sites may have served as production centers. He stressed the need for further research and for comparing archeological material evidences with written sources. He also discussed about Al-Zubarah and other coastal settlements, explaining how imported pottery and artifacts provide evidence of Qatar's inhabitants' connection to global trade networks, calling for a re-evaluation of perceptions that portray the country's past as one of isolation. He further noted that many sites still await study and that disseminating research findings and making them accessible to the public are crucial aspects of archaeological work.
Dr. Wafa bin Sulaiman was then invited to speak, and she started by providing the definition of the term “submerged antiquities” and its importance in studying Qatar's maritime history, and how underwater evidence can deepen our understanding of the relationship between the country’s inhabitants and the sea, as well as their trade connections throughout ages. She also highlighted the importance of studying underwater heritage alongside terrestrial sites, thus expanding sources for understanding the history of Qatari society and its activities.
Additionally, she reviewed international efforts to protect underwater cultural heritage, particularly the efforts of UNESCO in this field, and the international cooperation involved in documenting, studying, and safeguarding such heritage. She highlighted the importance of preserving this heritage and making them accessible, thereby enhancing awareness of their historical and human value and ensuring their transmission to future generations.
At the end of the session, Mr. Mohammad Hammam Fekri commented on the participants' remarks, emphasizing the close relationship between archaeology and history, and the need for each to complement the other in developing a comprehensive understanding of the past. He explained that finds and excavation results provide material evidence that may date back thousands of years, while historical research helps interpret this evidence and identify the social, economic, and environmental contexts that nurtured them.
He added that archaeological discoveries may corroborate or necessitate revisions of written sources, and that texts and documents help in understanding the functions of archeological sites and the nature of the activities carried out by their inhabitants. He stressed the importance of dialogue between historians and archaeologists, and of linking the results of field research with the study of historical sources in order to develop a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of Qatar's history and its connections with its surroundings.
This seminar comes within the framework of the Hassan Bin Mohammad Center for Historical Studies' interest in promoting scholarly dialogue on the sources of Qatar's history, highlighting the value of the country’s heritage, and making the findings of specialized studies more accessible to the public.
