The ruins of Merweb, which is the most famous Islamic site to be found in Qatar Peninsula, attributed to the ninth century AD, is located some fifteen kilometres to the northern direction of Dukhan city between Al Numan and Um Alma’a burial site.
Ever since its discovery by the Danes between the years 1958-1959, excavations and restorations were carried out at these areas. Among them is the so-called residential area, which was discovered first by the Danes at the very beginning of their excavations at the site. After cleaning the debris around the houses it was learnt that they are small in size and comprise of one or two rooms. Further excavations unearthed very narrow allies and lanes within the area.
As excavation continued, the Danes discovered the remains of a fort built with unshaped soft stones and mud used as mortar. The fort seemed to comprise of three semi-circled towers and one circled tower, two gates, and twelve rooms. Its overall dimensions however, is only 40x30 meters.
As for other antiquities, the Danes unearthed numerous pottery sherds. Among them were sherds glazed with distinguished torques colour and a bronze coin, which helped to give clues for dating of the site.
Years later, French archaeological team took the responsibilities of excavations at Merweb historical city. The team initially concentrated the excavations at the small houses and unearthed more of ruins and antiquities, and later the team extended the excavations to the fort.
As excavations continued, it was learnt that the fort is made in two phases. While the early phase could be attribute to the ninth or tenth century, the later phase could date to much later times.
Beside this unique discovery, the team unearthed two nearly completed pottery jars glazed with torques colour clearly dated to ninth century AD. In addition to these different kinds of plain, glazed and painted pottery and Chinese porcelain were found. Whereas, the great majority of the glazed and painted pottery seem to be imported from near and far countries, the plain pottery appeared to be locally made.
Among other archaeological finds unearthed by the team were a miniature boat made of steatite, pottery lamps, glass bottles, bronze fish hooks, bronze needles, iron eye liners and small bronze lioness.
The results of the excavations and fields surveys clearly indicated Merweb’s trade connections and its social links with all the western and eastern coasts of the Arabian Gulf and the eastern parts of the Arabian Peninsula. However those links and connections were much more strong with Julafar, Baghdad, and Al A’has’a area.
The results of the excavations and historical studies have also revealed that Merweb had established trade through sea and land routes with Basra, Persia, the Indus Valley and the entire coast of Arabia. In other words Merweb was one of the most important redistributing centres during the first two centuries of the Abbasid Dynasty.
Future archaeological activities would undoughtebly reveal more important information concerning its architectural merits, its social live, its trade’s patterns and its identity.
The Peninsula
