Q Life Magazine Q Magazine (US) May 2016 | Page 70
| Issue 2
Al Zubarah:
Clues to
Cultural Past
Al Zubarah reveals invaluable clues to Qatar’s
cultural identity.
| Closeup of the main entrance door, Zubarah fort, Qatar
R
ecently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Qatar’s Al Zubarah is considered one of the best-
preserved historic merchant towns in the Gulf region.
Founded in the mid-18th century, the abandoned coastal
town sits about 100 miles northwest of Doha.
Once a thriving center of pearling and international
trade, Al Zubarah rose to become the country’s largest
and most important merchant town. Its success attracted
the attention of other Gulf powers and repeated attacks
ensued. In 1811, Al Zubarah was burned to the ground
and never fully recovered. The town was abandoned by
the mid-20th century.
With the help of local and international archaeologists
and scientists, the site of Al Zubarah—and the visitor
center in the nearby fort—provides important clues to
Qatar’s cultural identity. The 60-hectare archaeological
site includes remains of houses, mosques, large fortified
buildings, and a market. Such archaeological evidence
offers invaluable insight into the history of the pearl trade
and the development of the modern Gulf region.
| The rectangular eastern tower of Zubarah fort, Qatar
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