Umm Al Maa, Archaeological site in Al Khor, Qatar
Umm Al Maa is an archaeological site stretching from the coast to inland areas with a large central depression bordered by Al Jemailiya and Al Ghuwariyah. The landscape features flat rocky plains interrupted by low hillocks.
Danish archaeologists discovered 50 burial cairns with Bronze Age skeletons and pottery in 1957. Japanese researchers later investigated the site between 1988 and 1991, uncovering glass beads and bronze bowls.
The name Umm Al Maa means Mother of Water in Arabic, referring to freshwater wells that once supported communities in this region. These wells were central to how people lived and survived in this area.
The site sits about 80 kilometers northwest of Doha on flat and easy-to-navigate terrain. The level ground makes exploration straightforward, though visitors should prepare for uneven surfaces and rocky ground.
The burial complexes show varied burial practices, suggesting different cultures or time periods lived here. Items like glass beads point to trade connections with distant regions during ancient times.
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