Doha: Qatar Museums' Archaeology Department celebrated International Museum Day with a special "Introductory Day: Missions and Discoveries" held at the Museum of Islamic Art on Tuesday. The event provided visitors with unique insights into Qatar's archaeological research, conservation practices, and public outreach initiatives.
According to Qatar News Agency, the event gathered archaeologists, heritage professionals, and culture enthusiasts for a day of short lectures and discussion. Qatar Museums' Archaeology Department staff members presented their work and achievements throughout three comprehensive sessions, collectively spotlighting the department's diverse and vital role in preserving Qatar's tangible past and engaging its communities.
The session opened with remarks from CEO of Qatar Museums Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi, who highlighted the central role archaeology plays in protecting Qatar's national identity and cultural continuity. Director of the Archaeology Department at Qatar Museums, Faisal Al Naimi, offered insights into the department's growing responsibilities and vision.
"This event marked the first of its kind organized by the Archaeology Department, dedicated to showcasing the breadth of our work," said Al Naimi. "It was both a celebration of International Museum Day and an opportunity to highlight our unwavering efforts to research, protect, and share Qatar's heritage with the community. These lectures were free and open to the public, reflecting our commitment to making archaeology accessible to all. We also see this event as an open invitation for government bodies, institutions, and universities to collaborate with us. Next year, we aim to expand this Introductory Day even further-with greater public involvement and deeper engagement with archaeology."
The first session delved into fieldwork and site protection, careful balancing act between archaeological preservation and modern development, and some recent discoveries. The second session traced the artifact's path from discovery to display, addressing the challenges of documentation, and providing insights from the conservation labs. This session also emphasized public archaeology as an essential part of heritage stewardship.
In the final session, current research projects took center stage, revealing ongoing investigations into prehistoric sites and introducing evidence of possible Abbasid-era textile production. The Archaeology Department's first Introductory Day was more than an internal reflection-it was a public reaffirmation of Qatar Museums' mission to preserve, study, and share Qatar's cultural legacy. The day's sessions revealed the wide-reaching impact of archaeology in areas ranging from research to education, digital innovation, and sustainable preservation.