“Society and Daily Life Practices in Qatar Before Oil Industry, A Historic Study in light of Texts and Archaeological Evidence”

Al-Zubarah, a 17th to mid-20th century walled town in Qatar, offers profound insights into pre-oil society and daily life practices in the Gulf region. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its strategic coastal location, fortified architecture, and rich material culture reveal its significance as a major pearl and trade hub. Excavations, led by Qatari missions and later the University of Copenhagen in collaboration with Qatar Museum Authority, uncovered palaces, courtyards, mosques, markets, and tools from diverse regions, providing a comprehensive view of Islamic trade planning, social structures, and cultural exchanges. This study reconstructs societal dynamics, gender roles, communal identity, and regional interactions through architectural remains, material artifacts, and textual evidence, offering a nuanced understanding of Qatar's historical landscape before the oil era.

Sadeq, M. (2013). “Society and Daily Life Practices in Qatar Before Oil Industry, A Historic Study in light of Texts and Archaeological Evidence”. Qatar Foundation Annual Research Forum Volume 2013 Issue 1. https://doi.org/10.5339/qfarf.2013.ssho-08