The largest and most significant stone art installations in Qatar have attracted numerous scientists who attempt to decode them through various theories.
Archaeologists discovered about 900 rock carvings at Al Jassasiya. (Photo: CNN)
Al Jassasiya is a city located in the desolate and arid corner of the northeastern coast of Qatar, housing the country’s largest and most significant stone art installations. People centuries ago regarded a series of low limestone outcrops here as a special canvas to carve symbols, patterns, and objects reflecting their daily lives. However, the meaning behind these spectacular carvings remains elusive.
Al Jassasiya is about an hour’s drive north of Qatar’s current capital and near the ancient pear orchard of Al Huwaila. In late 1973 and early 1974, a Danish team led by archaeologist Holger Kapel and his son conducted explorations and created the first catalog of the area with images and drawings.
Since then, archaeologists have discovered a total of approximately 900 rock carvings at Al Jassasiya. These include many unique patterns and images of boats that can only be seen from above. Ferhan Sakal, the excavation and management head at the Qatar Museum, stated: “The rock art at Al Jassasiya is incredibly unique and cannot be found anywhere else. These works showcase the creativity and observational skills of the artisans who created them.”
The prominent carvings at Al Jassasiya are two parallel rows of pits. (Photo: CNN).
One of the notable carvings at Al Jassasiya consists of two rows of parallel pits, each containing seven pits. There is a theory that these pits were once used to play mancala—a popular game from ancient times. However, many others have refuted this theory by pointing out that the pits are too small to accommodate any stones, and several pits are carved on a sloped terrain—an unfavorable landscape for playing this game.
Regarding the true significance of these installations, Sakal admitted: “It is very difficult to answer. We have no direct clues about the patterns used at Al Jassasiya. In my opinion, they may belong to some rituals, but they are too ancient to interpret. These works may not have been created simultaneously.”
After their discovery, Al Jassasiya attracted global attention. Archaeologists have attempted to date the carvings; however, they have yet to determine the age of these rock engravings.
“There are many theories about the timeline of the Al Jassasiya rock carvings. Some say they must be from the Neolithic period, while others argue they belong to the late Islamic period. Personally, I believe these carvings were not created at the same time,” Ferhan Sakal remarked.
About ten years ago, Qatari archaeologists reported the results of tests on nine rock engravings from Al Jassasiya. They stated that there was no evidence confirming they were hundreds of years old. This suggests that the Al Jassasiya rock carvings could likely be products of the medieval to modern period.
Experts involved in researching the Al Jassasiya area all agree that it is impossible to definitively assess the timeframe and the creators of the stone works at Al Jassasiya. They also believe that these works are incredibly special, with one of the most remarkable aspects being the boats.
“We have no clues about the patterns carved at Al Jassasiya,” Sakal lamented. As of now, Qatar remains in the dark regarding the authorship, meaning, and purpose of the rock carvings.
The rock art at Al Jassasiya is incredibly unique. (Photo: CNN).
Most of the boats viewed from above are shaped like fish with sharp tails and oars, carved with a type of sharp metal tool. The details on the hull, along with many cross-cut holes, indicate that the masts of the boats are sturdy. Some of them are additionally equipped with features of traditional Arab anchors or European anchors.
Frances Gillespie and Faisal Abdulla Al Naimi, authors of a book about hidden wonders in Qatar, noted: “Boats played an important role in the beliefs of ancient peoples, regarded as a means to move to the afterlife, exemplified by the story of the ferryman Charon carrying the souls of the dead across the River Styx to the realm of the dead in Greek mythology. This may be the significance behind these boat carvings.”
