Manama: Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) and the Deutsches Archeologisches Institut - (DAI) - German Archeological Institute- have signed an agreement to launch Qatari-German Joint Archeological Fieldwork.
The aim is to promote knowledge about Qatar's historical, ethnic and socio-economic structure and its political, religious and cultural roles and to investigate the Gulf country's ancient ecological and living conditions, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.
Under the agreement, joint Qatari-German archeological surveys and excavations will be undertaken in Qatar with the aim of training Qatari and German students in archeological fieldwork in Qatar.
The accord also aims to promote education, training and capacity building for members of both parties in both countries, in addition to strengthening scholarly, service and logistical initiatives.
The cooperation agreement between the QMA and the German Archaeological Institute is the beginning of an important partnership, Abdullah Al Najjar, Chief Executive of Qatar Museums Authority (QMA), said.
Archaeological work will start in the south of Qatar and will include encompassing survey, excavations technology and documentation, studying the local cultural traditions and oral historiography, and site management and protection measures to provide protective measures for the excavated sites such as consolidation and conservation, he said, cited by QNA.
DAI, a federal agency under the ministry of foreign affairs, employs around 120 scientists. It was established in 1829.
