Archaeological excavations at the settlement of al-Furayḥah (Freiha), north-west Qatar

Abstract

Two seasons of excavation and survey at the late Islamic town of al-Furayhah (commonly, Freiha) in north-west Qatar are providing an insight into the development, occupation, and final abandonment of this once-prominent settlement. This paper presents the interim results of fieldwork, focusing first on the morphology of the town as a whole, followed by an analysis of the domestic and religious architecture. At its peak the town may have covered an area of 17.8 ha followed by a gradual southwards migration, the final phase of occupation being focused on the communal structures of the mosque and the fort. This long-term migration pattern is complemented by evidence of regular collapse and reconstruction in the mosque and domestic courtyard buildings. These may indicate short-term abandonment as well as fluctuations in the economy of the settlement and the region as a whole.