Al Zubarah Archaeology Day
A day celebrating Qatar's only UNESCO World Heritage Site, the abandoned pearl fishing town of Al Zubarah on the northwest coast. Founded in the 1760s, Al Zubarah was a thriving pearl trading and fishing settlement of up to 6,000 people before it was destroyed in 1811. Excavations since 2009 have revealed a planned city with streets, courtyard houses, a mosque, and a palatial compound. The town's economy was built entirely on pearl fishing and trade, connecting Qatar to the Indian Ocean world. Pottery from China, porcelain from Japan, and coins from Oman have been found in the ruins. The site's isolation and arid climate preserved mud-brick walls, plaster coatings, and even graffiti scratched into walls. On this day, free guided tours are offered, and the Qatar Museums authority hosts archaeological workshops for children.