The five-day programme, on the 'Techniques of Making Weapons in the Stone Age,' which concludes on March 23, will give participants the opportunity to learn about the history of human settlement in the Gulf, dating back to the prehistoric period, by exploring the different uses of weapons and their importance in tasks, including self-defence and food preparation.
Participants will also gain useful insights and a deeper understanding of the history of the region, according to QM.
“Programmes such as these are vital in developing the capabilities of GCC archaeologists, as it will enhance their knowledge and unify their efforts in preserving the region's heritage and scientifically document it for upcoming generations,” QM’s chief archaeology officer Ali Jassim al-Kubaisi said.
“Studies have shown us findings from the Arab Peninsula that date back thousands of years. Through archaeological missions, a lot of remains have been found on the Arab Gulf coast and inside the peninsula itself,” he noted.
Among these findings were Stone Age tools and weapons, which prove that the Arab region was occupied during that period, al-Kubaisi said.
“Therefore, exploring these tools reveals many aspects about our ancestors’ lifestyles and allow us to carefully document an important part of history,” he added.
The programme, which includes various lectures and activities, will be delivered by QM’s archaeology head Faisal Abdullah al-Nuaimi. It will cover the different weapons and tools used in the Gulf in the prehistoric period, including their uses, how to identify and categorise them, and how to classify the raw materials used to make them.
QM said the programme will also include training on making different types of weaponry and tools, soft and hard forging, trimming through forging or pressing, and how to make the most important tools, including axes, arrowheads and blades. In addition to the discussions, participants will visit and explore archeological sites across Qatar.
The programme has been launched as part of QM’s commitment to implement the recommendations that were the result of the 16th Meeting of Archaeology and Museums Undersecretaries, held in Doha in 2015.
The programme aims to enhance the mutual corporation between archaeology and museum professionals in the GCC, and encourages collaboration that will help preserve the history of the Gulf. This initiative falls in line with QM’s goals to honour the traditions of the past whilst embracing the future.
QM’s archaeology head Faisal Abdullah al-Nuaimi briefs two participants during the training programme which started on Sunday.
Qatar Museums (QM) started its second training programme for GCC archaeologists and museum professionals at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA).
