Qatar

The fort was discovered during B. de Cardi’s prospecting campaigns in 1973-74 and is dated using the ceramics found on the surface from the Modern Period; its layout also compares with other known forts from the same period (end of 18th century - start of 19th century) in Qatar, such as the al-Huwaylah and Zubara sites. The fort of Zekrit is also briefly mentioned in English sources: “There are 12 stone wells in this spot with the ruins of a fort built by Rahmat b. Jabayr at the start of the 19th century” (Lorimer, Gazetteer of The Persian Gulf, Oman and Central Arabia, vol. II.B, p. 1516). It seems that this fort was probably built during the turn of the 19th century when Rahmat b. Jabayr took hold of Zubara in 1809 and established his hegemony over this part of Qataran territory (north of the peninsula). The fort of Zekrit would have marked the southernmost point of the tribal chief’s territorial expansion. But his superiority was short-lived and by 1811, the town of Zubara was recovered by the Al-Thani tribe. Rahmat b. Jabayr retreated to the town of Damman after being expelled from Zubara. It is not yet possible to tell from current explorations whether Rahmat b. Jabayr’s troops withdrew to the fort of Zekrit or whether they abandoned it at this time. Acts of piracy related by a member of this tribe up until 1841 do not exclude the use of this fort (with its coastal location in a cove and difficult access), as one of the fleet’s bases or whether it was a place of refuge for members of the extended family. Textual sources do not provide information on the possible destruction of the fort by the powers that might have been in place when Jasim b. Jabayr’s fleet was crushed (1841).

A deep sounding revealed some ceramics from the Abbasid period (9th century), implying that there was temporary occupation with some form of encampment before the Modern Period. At this time, the site may have had some connection with the “town” of Ras Uwaynat ‘Ali, located on the other side of the Bay of Zekrit, dating to the Sassanid and Abbasid periods.

Investigations conducted during 3 campaigns studied the entire archaeological site, the fortress, madbassa (area where dates were processed into syrup) and temporary human settlements, and show different types of intensive occupation.

The fortress does not seem to have been a significant or effective area of defence due to the relatively basic construction techniques and could not have provided a truly defensive system. The fortress is more likely a place for surveillance: over the desert (controlling the area of Ras Abruk, a small peninsula with protective coves for mooring dhows), and the sea (surveillance of boats, passage and acts of piracy, etc.).

English and Arabic textual sources confirm the construction of this fort by Rahmat b. Jabayr, an important tribal chief who led various conflicts against the authorities of the time at the start of the 19th century. At this particular point in history, the fortress would also have served as an important marker of tribal territory. It should be remembered that at this time, other tribes close to the government appear to have been based there, also with fortresses in the northern coastal part of the Qatar peninsula. The area of Zekrit would thus have been governed by an opponent, Rahmat b. Jabayr.

The presence of a relatively large madbassa which was close enough to the sea, leads us to assume that there were commercial relations between Qatar and Bahrain at the start of the 19th century. It is worth noting the absence of palm groves in this broad area of western coastline and might suggest that dates arrived by boat from Bahrain, a large date producer. Such trade would have been easier due to the good relations enjoyed by Rhamat b. Jabayr with certain tribes in Bahrain.

Lastly, soundings conducted in the intermediate area clearly show human occupation, likely to be living on a temporary basis in tents.