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Doha: A Qatari amateur archaeologist claims the discovery of a 5,000-year-old burial site on the north-western coast of Qatar attests to the presence of vibrant merchants' colonies along the country's shores in ancient times.
Mohammad Ali Al Sulaiti, a former engineer at Qatar Petroleum, said he has discovered a graveyard belonging to an Indus Valley civilisation that would support theories of strong ties between the ancient peoples of Mesopotamia, the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian Subcontinent.
"I have discovered many artefacts that prove that Qatar was inhabited by merchants of the Indus Valley and that they were very active in the production and trade of metals and porcelains," he told Gulf News.
The graveyard located in Al Ruwaida area, west of Ruwais, is probably one of the many temporary settlements that the merchants of the Indus Valley used to establish along their trade routes, Al Sulaiti said.
Al Sulaiti found many fragments of brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, glass bangles inlaid with lacquer paintings and parts of necklaces and shells used as ornaments. Among his discoveries is a small brass pot holding a smaller porcelain vase containing a tooth.
The Indus Valley civilisation flourished in the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra river valleys primarily in Sindh province of Pakistan and in north-western India.
There was an extensive maritime trade network operating between them and the Mesopotamian people, through merchants from Dilmun, in Bahrain. The Indus Valley people used to produce and trade in copper, bronze, lead, tin and copper artefacts. Remnants of their settlements have been found also in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait.
Al Sulaiti says he has collected hundreds of artefacts during his explorations across the country.
Asked whether any recognised archaeological institution could support the authenticity of his claims, Al Sulaiti said he entertains strong relations with archaeologists and museum authorities from around the world.
Not for sale
"I have received offers from several museums to purchase some of my artefacts, but I have refused. Nothing I have is on sale. I preserve it for Qatar."
Asked why he would not give his discoveries to the national museum authority, he said he distrusted the country's exploration and conservation programmes, but he refused to elaborate further.
A self-made archaeologist, Al Sulaiti started exploring the country after he retired from Qatar Petroleum, following in the steps of his father and grandfather, who were both pearl divers.
"Archaeology was a hobby I had since I was a young boy and before me it was my father and grandfather's passion. My studies helped me enhance my exploration skills," he said.
All his findings are displayed in his house, a focal point for archaeologists and historians researching on the area. The museum authority was not immediately available to comment on the issue.
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