Al Khor Islands

Al Khor Island is an archaeological site on the northeast coast of Qatar that reveals layers of ancient occupation spanning several centuries. The location features mangrove wetlands and tidal streams connecting the island to the mainland, shaping how people used this space in the past.

Archaeologists first studied the site in the 1970s and identified several periods of settlement from ancient times through the medieval era. One particularly important phase occurred between 1400 and 1100 BC when a specific population group lived and worked on the island.

The island contains pottery fragments that reveal connections to the Dilmun civilization and neighboring trading partners from ancient times. These objects show how the place served as a point of contact between distant peoples who exchanged goods and ideas.

A visit to this location requires advance arrangements with local authorities and takes place in a remote coastal area north of Doha. The terrain includes wetlands and tidal zones, so visitors should wear appropriate footwear and plan their visit around water levels.

Between 1400 and 1100 BC, the island operated a purple dye industry using a type of sea snail to produce highly valued color. This specialized craft made the place an important production center for a luxury material that traders sought across the ancient world.