Hidden Symbols in the Sands of Time: Al Jassasiya’s Mysterious Petroglyphs

In the windswept deserts of Qatar, mysterious symbols rise from the earth, etched into soft rock like creatures basking in the sun. Others form depressions reminiscent of ancient board games once played across continents, while some carvings are simply baffling in their complexity.

Nestled in the northeastern corner of Qatar, among barren sand dunes, lies Al Jassasiya, the country’s largest and most intriguing rock art site. Here, centuries ago, people used the low-lying limestone as a canvas, leaving behind over 900 enigmatic carvings. These petroglyphs depict everything from intricate patterns of cup marks to mesmerizing representations of ships — symbols that offer a glimpse into the ancient minds that created them.

"Rock art is common across the Arabian Peninsula, but some of the carvings at Al Jassasiya are unique," says Ferhan Sakal, head of excavation and site management at Qatar Museums. Among these rare works are ships carved from a bird’s-eye view — an impressive feat of creativity and abstraction.

Many of these cup marks form curious patterns, like two parallel rows of seven holes, leading some to speculate that they were used to play mancala, a board game with ancient roots. Others suggest these marks may have served as tools for divination, storage for pearls, or even to calculate time and tides. Yet, the true purpose remains a mystery.

As Sakal notes, “We have no direct clues about the motifs used at Al Jassasiya. They likely held a ritual meaning so old that it escapes modern explanation.”

While it’s difficult to date the carvings, theories range from Neolithic to late Islamic periods, with no single answer. A study conducted a decade ago found the petroglyphs could be only a few hundred years old, but the researchers concluded that more study is needed — especially when it comes to limestone carvings, which are notoriously difficult to date.

Among the most fascinating carvings are the ships, offering clues about Qatar’s historical connection to fishing and pearling. These vessels, seen from above, feature precise details like ribs, masts, and anchors. Some anchors even resemble European designs introduced seven centuries ago, marking a fusion of cultural influences.

Experts speculate that ships may have played a symbolic role in ancient beliefs, representing the soul’s journey from this life to the next. Gillespie and Al-Naimi, authors of Hidden in the Sands: Uncovering Qatar’s Past, draw parallels between these carvings and ancient myths from Babylon, Egypt, and Greece, where ships ferried the dead to the afterlife.

Though the true meaning of these carvings may remain elusive, they offer a tantalizing glimpse into a world long gone. Visitors to Al Jassasiya can explore these relics at sunrise or sunset, pondering their origins while surrounded by the silence of the desert. Just be sure to bring water, a hat, and sunscreen — the desert offers no shade, only secrets.