Qatar Marks World Day for Underwater Cultural Heritage with Seminar on Coastal and Maritime Heritage

Faisal Abdulla Al Nuaimi, Director of Archaeology at Qatar Museums, emphasized that Qatar’s coastal and maritime heritage constitutes a fundamental pillar of the nation’s history and cultural identity, underscoring the need for continued scientific research, strengthened conservation efforts, and greater public engagement to ensure its transmission to future generations. A dedicated session highlighted the richness and diversity of Qatar’s coastal and maritime heritage through presentations on archaeological sites affected by changing sea levels, historic pearling grounds, submerged freshwater springs, and the masakir (traditional tidal fish traps). In his presentation on the masakir of Qatar, Al Nuaimi noted their widespread distribution along the Qatari coastline and their significant role in local and regional economies during the late Islamic period. He further emphasized that these structures may have supported coastal communities for centuries and called for additional ethnographic and documentary research to deepen understanding of their construction, operation, maintenance, and contribution to trade and subsistence activities.

Participants also examined the archaeological site of Al Sirriya, located in southwestern Qatar. The site, first documented in 2012 and believed to date to the Islamic period, offers valuable insights into the relationship between environmental change, sea-level fluctuations, and human settlement patterns. Discussions underscored the importance of integrating the protection of both cultural and natural heritage into broader sustainable development strategies.

The seminar further explored Qatar's long-standing relationship with the sea through discussions on pearling heritage and submerged freshwater springs. Researchers highlighted how these sites contribute to a deeper understanding of the maritime traditions that shaped the social, cultural, and economic development of the Gulf region. Such heritage, they noted, provides invaluable evidence of human adaptation, navigation, resource use, and cultural exchange across centuries.

The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the importance of strengthening research, capacity-building, and international cooperation to ensure the effective protection of underwater cultural heritage. Participants emphasized that preserving submerged heritage is not only about safeguarding archaeological remains but also about protecting the stories, knowledge, and cultural connections that continue to shape the identity and collective memory of coastal communities across the region.

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