Pearl fishers, townsfolk, Bedouin, and shaykhs: economic and social relations in Islamic al-Zubārah

Tobias Richter*, Paul Wordsworth, Alan Walmsley

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Two seasons of excavation at the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century settlement of al-Zubārah in north-west Qatar provide an insight into the emergence and development of early modem pearl-fishing and -trading settlements in the Persian Gulf. Here we present a preliminary overview of the archaeological phases identified so far at the site, discuss characteristics of al-Zubārah's urban layout, show how archaeology can contribute to the identification of social and economic differences, and further highlight the crucial role of al-Zubārah's hinterland in supporting the pearl-fishing and -trading economy.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies
EditorsJanet C. M. Starkey
PublisherArchaeopress Publishing
Pages317-332
Number of pages16
Volume41
ISBN (Electronic)9781905739400
Publication statusPublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes
Event44th Meeting of the Seminar for Arabian Studies - London, United Kingdom
Duration: 22 Jul 201024 Jul 2010

Conference

Conference44th Meeting of the Seminar for Arabian Studies
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLondon
Period22/07/1024/07/10

Keywords

  • al-Zubārah
  • hinterland
  • pearl trade
  • Qatar
  • urbanism

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