Latest news with #ArchaeologyDepartment
Qatar Tribune
23-05-2025
- General
- Qatar Tribune
QM marks Int'l Museum Day with ‘Missions and Discoveries' event
Tribune News Network DOHA Qatar Museums' Archaeology Department celebrated International Museum Day with a special 'Introductory Day: Missions and Discoveries' held at the Museum of Islamic Art on May 13. The event provided visitors with unique insights into Qatar's archaeological research, conservation practices, and public outreach initiatives. The event gathered archaeologists, heritage professionals, and culture enthusiasts for a day of short lectures and discussion. Qatar Museums' (QM) Archaeology Department staff members presented their work and achievements throughout three comprehensive sessions, collectively spotlighting the department's diverse and vital role in preserving Qatar's tangible past and engaging its communities. The session opened with remarks from Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi, CEO of QM, who highlighted the central role archaeology plays in protecting Qatar's national identity and cultural continuity. Faisal Al Naimi, director of the Archaeology Department at QM, then offered insights into the department's growing responsibilities and vision. 'This event was both a celebration of International Museum Day and an opportunity to highlight our unwavering efforts to research, protect, and share Qatar's heritage with the community. These lectures were free and open to the public, reflecting our commitment to making archaeology accessible to all. We also see this event as an open invitation for government bodies, institutions, and universities to collaborate with us. Next year, we aim to expand this Introductory Day even further—with greater public involvement and deeper engagement with archaeology,' Al Naimi said. The first session delved into fieldwork and site protection. Dr Sinan Al Naimi examined the careful balancing act between archaeological preservation and modern development, while Dr Mustafa Mehanni shared some recent discoveries. Dr Ouafa Slimane shifted the focus to underwater cultural heritage and Qatar's maritime past. Meanwhile, Jawaher Ali Al Nuami and Muhammed Rafid presented the department's digital tool QCHIMS while Aisha Al Hamad highlighted how field assessments and recording are crucial to ensuring the protection of Qatar's vast archaeological record. The second session traced the artifact's path from discovery to display, where Alanod Al Mutawah addressed the challenges of documentation, and conservation expert Fareed Alshishani provided insights from the conservation labs. Furthermore, archaeologist Dr Alexandrine Guerin discussed how archaeological finds are interpreted and showcased in the National Museum of Qatar. This session also emphasized public archaeology as an essential part of heritage stewardship. Imad Tabohout and Margaux De Pauw shared innovative educational initiatives that are opening archaeology to new audiences in Qatar. Their work underscores how outreach, school partnerships, and volunteer engagement foster a sense of collective ownership over cultural heritage, while also supporting site protection and ethical practices. In the final session, current research projects took centre stage, where Dr Ferhan Sakal revealed ongoing investigations into prehistoric sites, while Dr Robert Carter introduced evidence of possible Abbasid-era textile production. Dr Agnieszka Bystron presented an analysis of imported ceramics from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Al Zubarah Archaeological Site, offering new perspectives on international trade. Mohammed Sadiq spoke about his recent publications on Qatar's history and coins, and Noura Al Hemaidi delivered closing remarks, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration between institutions, researchers, and the public to protect and interpret Qatar's archaeological heritage. The Archaeology Department's first Introductory Day was more than an internal reflection—it was a public reaffirmation of Qatar Museums' mission to preserve, study, and share Qatar's cultural legacy. The day's sessions revealed the wide-reaching impact of archaeology in areas ranging from research to education, digital innovation, and sustainable preservation. For more information about Qatar Museums and its archaeological projects, visit or contact
Express Tribune
17-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Julian Stupa inspires US delegates
Julian Buddhist Stupa and Monastery, a significant relic of the ancient Buddhist civilisation located in Khanpur. A high-level delegation from the US Embassy visited on Saturday the Julian Buddhist Stupa and Monastery, a significant relic of the ancient Buddhist civilisation located in Khanpur. The delegation was warmly received by Syed Niaz Hussain Shah, Regional Officer of the Archaeology Department, Hazara Division. During the visit, the delegation conducted a detailed inspection of the historical site and described the rare archaeological remains as a priceless cultural treasure. The delegates commended the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Archaeology Department not only for preserving these sacred religious sites but also for playing a commendable role in their restoration and maintenance, thereby promoting religious tourism. The US delegation noted that such initiatives enhance international tourist interest, which in turn fosters interfaith harmony and strengthens the local economy. They appreciated the efforts of the K-P government and also discussed possibilities for future cultural cooperation. After concluding their brief visit, the delegates departed for Islamabad.
New Indian Express
13-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Star-shaped terracotta ornaments unearthed at Vembakottai
The excavation, which began on 18 June 2024 with a state allocation of Rs 30 lakh, has so far yielded artefacts such as copper coins, amethyst beads, and crystal beads. The excavation is expected to continue until May. In the earlier two phases, 34 trenches were excavated, uncovering over 7,800 artefacts, including shell bangles, beads, and rings. Additionally, a significant number of neolithic tools and raw materials used for tool-making were found, suggesting that the region may have been a hub for shell bangle production. Furthermore, 13 copper coins from various Nayak periods were discovered in the previous phases. The excavations have revealed continuous human activity from prehistoric times to the medieval period. The Archaeology Department is documenting the findings and plans to exhibit the artefacts at a museum under construction in Virudhunagar at a cost of Rs 6.8 crore.
New Indian Express
11-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Pillar of Kakatiya-era temple found in Nagnoor village
KARIMNAGAR: A pillar from a 12th-century temple (Kakatiya era) has been unearthed in Nagnoor village, known for its rich temple heritage, in Karimnagar rural mandal. The carved granite pillar, about three feet tall and one-and-a-half feet wide, was found partially buried in the earth. Senior archaeologist and sculptor Dr Eemani Shivanagi Reddy, senior sthapati B Sudhakar Singh and historian Sankepally Nagendra Sharma recently visited the site. Dr Shivanagi explained that the intricately carved pillar, with small perforations through which even straws can pass, dates back to the Kakatiya period and holds architectural significance. The pillar has since been moved to the Karimnagar Archaeology Museum for preservation. During their visit, the experts also inspected an old Shivalayam temple in the village and discovered a Jain sculpture smeared with sindoor. They recommended the removal of the paste and the shifting of the sculpture to the museum for proper conservation. Assistant Director of the Archaeology Department Naini Sagar said the newly discovered pillar will be preserved along with other artefacts from the Jain, Buddhist and Nizam eras currently housed in the museum.
Observer
29-04-2025
- Science
- Observer
Oldest copper musical instrument discovered in Oman
MUSCAT: The Archaeology Department at Sultan Qaboos University, under the supervision of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, has uncovered a pair of complete copper cymbals during excavations at the 'Dahwa 7' site, located on the outskirts of Wadi Al Sakhn in the Wilayat of Saham, Al Batinah North Governorate. Archaeological evidence scattered densely across the surface indicates that the site was once a settlement of a local culture that thrived in the region between 2700 and 2000 BCE. After lying buried and hidden by the early inhabitants of the Omani Peninsula for over 4,000 years, the excavations have revealed, for the first time, cultural secrets and religious beliefs lost to time for millennia. The archaeological team excavated several structures within the settlement, confirming that the site was highly prosperous. Its inhabitants relied heavily on copper mining for their livelihood, in addition to agriculture - particularly date palm cultivation - and livestock rearing. The discovery of large quantities of pottery imported from the Indus Valley, found within the settlement, indicates strong trade relations with the Harappan civilisation, which flourished in that region. Among the four excavated structures was a small, isolated building perched atop an elevated plateau, overlooking the rest of the settlement in the southeastern area. The excavations revealed the building's layout: a rectangular room with a small entrance in its eastern wall, accessed via a rectangular threshold running along the wall. Inside, the team uncovered several architectural features, the most notable being a small stone table opposite the entrance, carefully constructed from thin stones and covered with a layer of yellow plaster. The architectural elements suggest that the building served as a religious structure, making it one of the oldest temples discovered to date. Excavations indicate two main phases of use - an early and a late stage. After a period of use, a new floor was installed, beneath which a layer of clay was placed. The cymbals found in this temple are the oldest ever discovered in the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant. Similar, possibly contemporaneous evidence has been found in Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley (present-day Pakistan), dating back to the Third Millennium BCE. Additionally, evidence points to the use of cymbals in Sumerian culture in the city of Ur in southern Mesopotamia. Archaeological findings suggest that the tradition of using cymbals as musical instruments was primarily linked to religious rituals, as they were used in hymns performed during various ceremonies as early as the Third Millennium BCE. This indicates that the communities in Oman had strong connections with major civilisations - not only in trade but also in religious and intellectual spheres. Geochemical analysis confirmed that the cymbals from 'Dahwa' site were made from local copper, likely sourced from an area near Muscat. This discovery is significant not only due to the rarity of such artefacts but also because of the insights it provides into cultural influences and interactions between distant civilisations. The findings of this discovery were recently published in Antiquity journal in the UK, garnering considerable attention from international scientific publications. — ONA
