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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 proceeding › Conference proceeding contribution › peer-review

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 2010 → 24 Jul 2010

Conference

Conference44th Meeting of the Seminar for Arabian Studies
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLondon
Period22/07/10 → 24/07/10

Keywords

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

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  • Al Zubarah: Qatar's World Heritage city

    Al-Thani, H. S. H. B. M. (Editor), Abdulla, N. I. (Editor), Muhesen, S. (Editor), Walmsley, A. G. (Editor), Al-Sulaiti, F. H. (Editor), Rosendahl, S. (Editor) & Thuesen, I. (Editor), 2022, Doha: Qatar University Press. 244 p. (Qatari Studies)

    Research output: Book/Report › Edited Book/Anthology › peer-review

  • Zubarah: uncovering a new history for Qatar and the Gulf

    Walmsley, A., 6 Jul 2014, Gulf Times, p. 35 1 p.

    Research output: Contribution to Newspaper/Magazine/Website › Article

  • The legacy of Zubarah

    Walmsley, A., 2011, Qultura, 1, p. 58-65 8 p.

    Research output: Contribution to Newspaper/Magazine/Website › Article

    Open Access

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