Jebel Jassassiyeh, Ancient petroglyph site in northeast Qatar
Jebel Jassassiyeh is an ancient petroglyph site containing about 874 rock carvings scattered across limestone outcrops in northeastern Qatar. The engravings display various subjects and carving techniques across a substantial stretch of exposed stone.
Danish archaeologists first documented these petroglyphs in the 1960s, followed by detailed surveys in the 1970s that systematically recorded the carvings. These early investigations established the foundation for understanding this ancient site.
The carved patterns show boats, fish, ostriches, and geometric forms that reflect the daily life and activities of ancient inhabitants. These images give a sense of how people lived here and what mattered to them.
The site sits roughly 75 kilometers north of Doha and is reachable via the North Road toward Al-Khor. Clear signage near the Al-Huwaila mosque marks the turn-off point for visitors.
Many cup-shaped marks arranged in rows of seven connect to thin channels carved into the rock, suggesting they may have served to collect or direct water. These markings reveal how ancient people adapted to manage scarce water resources in this dry region.
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