Zekreet settlements are one of the most known and important sites found in Qatar Peninsula. They actually lies not far away from modern city of Dukhan on the northwestern part of the Peninsula. And they are 72 kilometres away from the city of Doha.
Archaeological surveys taken place at and around the sites since 1956 till present times have proved that they comprise of small number of prehistoric remains, which are mostly attributed to the Neolithic periods of 6500-4000 BC, few scattered small settlements attributed to late historical periods, a number of pottery sherd attributed to the contemporary eras. In addition to a rather large defensive fort located not far away from one of the larger settlement.
Field surveys and excavations at some sites also reported pieces of metal, few pieces of Chinese porcelain and unshaped soft stones seemed to have been used for constructions.
However, one of the most important finds were the few glazed pottery sherds with blue colour which date back between the ninth and the tenth centuries AD. It is also interesting to note that within the vicinity of the excavated areas, twelve wells containing brackish water were unearthed.
Further studies of the flint tools industries, such as arrowheads, blades, axes, and hammers found at the prehistorical sites proved that these are not different from those found at other sites in the Peninsula and attributed to the so called Neolithic period.
The study of the archaeological remains of the main settlement, predominantly the pottery, proved that most of its unearthed material belong to the very late of Islamic periods with exception for a few shreds, which might be dated to some earlier period. While the architectural remains of the fort precisely attributed to the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century.
The general view of the fort is rectangular in shape measuring 52 x 40 metres and clearly appeared to be built through two different phases by unshaped soft stones and mud or gypsum used as mortar. The first phase of the fort seemed to have been built without towers. Recent excavations however indicated that the four existed towers were added at later times, one at each corner, and all appeared nearly unfinished.
Moreover, recent excavations have also indicated that there are two main gates at the fort. The larger gate, which is 6.5 metres wide, is located in the southern part and overlooking the desert side. While the smaller gate, which are 1.40 metres wide lies on the northern direction and overlooking the seashore. The entire parts of the fort appeared surrounded by enclosure wall built of unshaped soft stones as well. And the remaining parts of the wall are not more than 2.70 metres in height.
Old habitation levels inside the fort were found varied from area to area and at certain locations. For example, excavations took place at areas inside the fort revealed small habitation unites. Some of them measured 4x3 metres. Others were merely low bunches built of soft stones and were separate from each other. Fire hearths used for cooking found scattered in different parts and levels.
Historical records contemporary with fort on the other hand have clearly indicated that the fort was built by the famous Qatari Erhama bin Jaber in the beginning of the ninetieth century (1809); and shortly after his death in 1826, the fort was entirely deserted and then reoccupied in the beginning of the twentieth century. In recent years, all the remaining and the excavated parts of the fort were studied and documented. Eventually, they were cleaned and partially restored.
Future archaeological activities might well shed more light on historical data and information to all the sites, to the area surrounding the fort, and to some remnants belong to Erhama bin Jaber. The Peninsula
