Al Jassasiya: the mysterious symbols etched in the Qatari desert

(CNN) – The engravings of the Al Jassasiya desert in Qatar are difficult to describe. Some are reliefs that emerge from the soft rock like reptiles basking in the sun. Others are mysterious depressions that resemble an ancient board game. And some are, honestly, puzzling.

In a desolate and windswept corner of the northeastern coast of Qatar, among the dunes of the arid desert, is Al Jassasiya, the most important rock art site in the Gulf country.

Here, centuries ago, the inhabitants used a series of low-rise limestone outcrops as a canvas on which they carved symbols, motifs and objects that they observed in their surroundings.

In all, archaeologists have found some 900 rock carvings, or “petroglyphs,” at Al Jassasiya. These are mostly enigmatic crown markings arranged in various patterns, such as rows and rosettes, but also striking representations of sailing ships, usually seen from above but also represented in profile, among other symbols and signs.

“Although rock art is common on the Arabian peninsula, some of the Al Jassasiya carvings are unique and cannot be found anywhere else,” Ferhan Sakal, head of excavation and site management at the Museums of Qatar, referring to the petroglyphs of ships seen from above.

“These prints represent a high degree of creativity and observation skills [por parte de] the artists who made them, “he said.” Also [del] abstract thinking, since they couldn’t see the dhow (a traditional boat) from above. “

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There are some 12 notable petroglyph sites in Qatar, mostly located along the country’s coastline, although some of the engravings can even be seen in the heart of Doha’s Al Bidda Par, overlooking the Corniche, a waterfront promenade. popular.

Al Jassasiya, an hour north of the ultra-modern capital of Qatar and near the ancient pearling port of Al Huwaila, was discovered in 1957. For six weeks, in late 1973 and early 1974, a Danish team led by archaeologist Holger Kapel and his son Hans Kapel undertook a study that painstakingly cataloged the entire site in photographs and drawings.

Of all the individual figures and compositions documented, more than a third consist of cup marks of various configurations, shapes and sizes.

The most prominent pattern consists of two parallel rows of seven holes, leading some to believe that they were used to play Mancala, a board game popular in many parts of the world since ancient times in which two contestants drop even numbers. and odd of small stones in the hollows.

Others have refuted this theory, pointing out that some of the holes in Al Jassasiya are too small for stones, while others are on slopes, an impractical option that would have caused the stones to fall.

Other theories include that the cup formations were used in some way for divination; or for sorting and storing pearls; or as systems to calculate time and tides.

Game theory

So what were they really good for and what do they mean?

“It is very difficult to answer,” admits Sakal, who does not decide on board game theory either. “We have no direct leads on the motives used in Al Jassasiya,” he said.

“In my opinion, they could have a ritual meaning and function, which is very old, so it cannot be explained ethnographically.”

But how old? “We really don’t know,” Sakal admitted, explaining that petroglyphs, and rock art in general, are very difficult to date.

“There are wild age hypotheses, ranging from the Neolithic to the late Islamic period,” he added. “Personally, I think that not all the engravings were made at the same time.”

A decade ago, a scientific study of nine different petroglyphs at Al Jassasiya found no evidence that they were more than a few hundred years old, but the researchers concluded that more studies are needed, including the development of new techniques specific to stone carvings. limestone.

Although experts cannot say for sure when the Al Jassasiya petroglyphs were created or by whom, all agree that the most fascinating and unusual at the site are those of the boats.

These creations provide important information on the types of vessels that were used in the thriving fishing and pearl industries (for centuries, the mainstays of Qatar’s economy), as well as their various elements.

Most of the boats seen from above are usually shaped like a fish with pointed stern and rows of oars, carved with a pointed metal tool. They contain various details, such as crossed frames and holes that probably show the placement of masts and benches.

In some cases, a long line that starts from the stern represents a line that ends in a traditional Arabic anchor (triangular stone anchor with two holes) or European (metal anchor with a long handle and two curved arms, used for the first time in the region about seven centuries ago).

Journey to the afterlife

“In some of the boats the oars are not parallel, as they would have to be when used to row, but they point to different places”, wrote Frances Gillespie and Faisal Abdulla Al-Naimi in “Hidden in the Sands: Uncovering Qatar’s Past” .

“This is what they would look like when the boats were anchored in the pearl banks and the oars were left in place for the divers to hold onto and rest each time they went up.”

Experts say they can only speculate on the reason for the high concentration of ship engravings in Al Jassasiya, compared to other coastal petroglyphic deposits in Qatar.

“Ships played a powerful role in the beliefs of ancient people, who viewed them as a symbolic means of transit from this world to the next,” noted Gillespie and Al-Naimi.

“Both the Babylonians and the ancient Egyptians believed that the dead reached the other world in a boat. Greek myths spoke of the ferryman Charon, who transported the souls of the dead across the river Styx to the underworld. It is possible that the engravings of Older ships are echoes of a popular memory dating back to prehistoric times. “

Whatever the reason, visitors should remember to bring water and wear a hat and sunscreen when strolling through the prints to reflect on their significance.

The fenced site has no shaded areas, so the best times to visit are at sunrise and sunset. Al Jassasiya is located just south of the popular Azerbaijan beach, so an excursion there can also be combined with a relaxing day by the sea.