<strong>Rare carvings: </strong>About an hour's drive north of Doha, Al Jassasiya is the site of some 900 "petroglyph" rock carvings, many of which are unique to the area.
Rare carvings: About an hour's drive north of Doha, Al Jassasiya is the site of some 900 "petroglyph" rock carvings, many of which are unique to the area.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Desert find: </strong>Al Jassasiya was discovered near the old pearling port of Al Huwaila in 1957. It was extensively cataloged over six weeks in late 1973 and early 1974 by a Danish team led by archaeologist Holger Kapel and his son Hans Kapel.
Desert find: Al Jassasiya was discovered near the old pearling port of Al Huwaila in 1957. It was extensively cataloged over six weeks in late 1973 and early 1974 by a Danish team led by archaeologist Holger Kapel and his son Hans Kapel.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Bird's eye view:</strong> The carvings include depictions of ships seen from above -- an unusual abstract view.
Bird's eye view: The carvings include depictions of ships seen from above -- an unusual abstract view.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Observation skills: </strong>"These carvings represent a high degree of creativity and observation skills the artists who made them," says Ferhan Sakal, head of excavation and site management at Qatar Museums.
Observation skills: "These carvings represent a high degree of creativity and observation skills the artists who made them," says Ferhan Sakal, head of excavation and site management at Qatar Museums.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Cup marks: </strong>Most of the carvings are enigmatic cup marks arranged in various patterns, including rows and rosettes.
Cup marks: Most of the carvings are enigmatic cup marks arranged in various patterns, including rows and rosettes.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Play time?: </strong>Some have suggested that the cup shapes are used to play mancala, a board game popular in many parts of the world since antiquity. It's a theory disputed by experts.
Play time?: Some have suggested that the cup shapes are used to play mancala, a board game popular in many parts of the world since antiquity. It's a theory disputed by experts.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Ritual, meaning and function: </strong>"We have no direct clues about the motifs used in Al Jassasiya," says Ferhan Sakal. "In my opinion, they might have a ritual meaning and function, which is very old so that it cannot be explained ethnographically."
Ritual, meaning and function: "We have no direct clues about the motifs used in Al Jassasiya," says Ferhan Sakal. "In my opinion, they might have a ritual meaning and function, which is very old so that it cannot be explained ethnographically."
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Wild hypotheses:</strong> It's not known how old the carvings are. "There are wild hypotheses about the age, ranging from Neolithic to late Islamic times," says Sakal. "I personally think that not all carvings were made at the same time."
Wild hypotheses: It's not known how old the carvings are. "There are wild hypotheses about the age, ranging from Neolithic to late Islamic times," says Sakal. "I personally think that not all carvings were made at the same time."
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Multiple locations: </strong>Some carving patterns can be found at other locations in Qatar, including these in the heart of Doha, at Al Bidda Par, overlooking the Corniche.
Multiple locations: Some carving patterns can be found at other locations in Qatar, including these in the heart of Doha, at Al Bidda Par, overlooking the Corniche.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Hot attraction: </strong>Visitors are advised to wear a hat and sunscreen while exploring the petroglyphs as there is no shelter. The best time to see them is near sunrise or sunset.
Hot attraction: Visitors are advised to wear a hat and sunscreen while exploring the petroglyphs as there is no shelter. The best time to see them is near sunrise or sunset.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis