Qatar on the Arabian Gulf: A search for lost times in Ancient History

  This book discusses the history of Qatar and reveals the cultural value of its geographical history and cultural relations. It also outlines Qatar’s relation with its neighboring regions, such as Mesopotamia and the Levant, while highlighting the correlation between these civilizations. The book also provides an insight into the natural and wild life in the State of Qatar, as well as the archaeological excavations carried out to study the various ancient periods, from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age. It also gives insightful information about Qatar’s ancient history, due to its geographical location as a link between civilizations of the ancient Gulf and as a maritime hub of copper and silk trade between the Gulf countries and India. The research approach applied in the book required the investigation of names given to many – or all – regions in Qatar throughout history, based on historical and linguistic evidences. The purpose is to create a new understanding of Qatar’s history, from its special location at the heart of the Arabian Gulf to its cultural, civilizational, historical and Arab Islamic surroundings. Many criteria have been taken into consideration: Qatar’s authentic mother tongue (Arabic), high values, and idiosyncratic identity in this contemporary world. Furthermore, this book provides a review about the Arabian Peninsula within the history of the Ancient East. This requires thinking of and recreating a comprehensive vision through the publication of significant scientific studies and the results of archaeological excavations in the Arabian Peninsula. This is in addition to a detailed presentation of Qatar’s important strategic location, with its recent renaissance and natural resources, such as oil and gas, making this country the blend of a civilizational legacy and a thriving present.