Archaeology expo to focus on GCC heritage, culture

Faisal al-Naimi and Dr Okasha El Daly speak about the exhibition yesterday

By Bonnie JamesAs many as 420 historic objects, including some dating back to several millennia, are on show at the ‘Heritage without Borders: The third GCC Archaeology Exhibition’ which opens at Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) Gallery in Katara at 10am today.“Running until June 30, the exhibition will highlight the historical, cultural and geographical unity of the GCC region,” QMA’s Antiquities Department head Faisal Abdulla al-Naimi said yesterday.The title of the event refers to the common elements binding together the six Gulf countries of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar.“They are one nation sharing one heritage and culture,” QMA’s director of projects Dr Okasha El Daly said while urging all residents of Qatar to visit the exhibition. The timings are 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 9pm from Saturday to Thursday. On Friday, the exhibition is open only from 3pm to 9pm.There are 70 objects from each GCC country, covering four major historical periods such as the pre-historic period: about one million years ago until 3rd millennium BC; the Dawn of Civilisations (cultures) period: 3rd millennium to 3rd century BC; pre-Islamic periods: 3rd century BC to 7th century AD; Islamic period: 7th century until today.The exhibition aims to recognise the common cultural traits between different parts of the region, and also examine its rich cultural diversity.“Visitors will be introduced to the historical heritage of the GCC region for well over a million years through storyline and scenario of the displays, catalogue, prints and text with photos and other instructive ways,” al-Naimi said.A seminar highlighting recent developments and progress of archaeological work in the GCC region, and a workshop on different aspects of heritage management and studies are part of the exhibition.There is a workshop for school children, where experts from QMA’s Department of Archaeology will teach about how to repair broken pottery. “This will be a first in the Arab region,” al-Naimi claimed.If there are adequate number of adults interested in the pottery repair workshop, QMA will consider arranging one later, Dr El Daly said.QMA also has plans to visit schools and enlighten students on topics including those about how to make stone tools, and to organise lectures to inculcate and nurture awareness about archaeology, according to al-Naimi. The GCC Archaeology Exhibition is held every two years. The first was in Fujairah (UAE), and the second in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).“If Qataris need to be aware of the archaeological history of their nation, the other residents should take this as an opportunity to learn more about their host country,” Dr El Daly observed.