The mysterious symbols found carved in Qatar's deserts

CNN ^ | 22nd November 2021 | Dimitris Sideridis, •

[BenLurkin]

[A]rchaeologists have found a total of some 900 rock carvings, or "petroglyphs," at Al Jassasiya. They are mostly enigmatic cup marks arranged in various patterns, including rows and rosettes, but also eye-catching representations of sailing ships, usually seen from above but also depicted in linear profile, among other symbols and signs.

Of all the documented single figures and compositions, more than a third consist of cup marks in various configurations, shapes and sizes.

The most prominent pattern involves two parallel rows of seven holes, leading some to believe that these were used to play mancala, a board game popular in many parts of the world since antiquity in which two contestants drop odd and even numbers of small stones into the depressions.

Others have disputed this theory, pointing to the fact that some of the holes at Al Jassasiya are too small to hold any of the stones, while others can be found on slopes -- an impractical choice that would have resulted in the counters falling out.

Further suggestions include the cup formations being used in some way for divination; or for the sorting and storage of pearls; or as systems to compute the time and tides.

While experts cannot surely say when the Al Jassasiya petroglyphs were created, and by whom, they all agree that the most fascinating -- and unusual -- carvings at the site are those of the boats.

They contain several details, such as crossing ribs and holes likely showing the placing of masts and thwarts. In some cases, a long line from the stern depicts a rope ending either in a traditional Arabic anchor (triangular stone anchor with two holes) or a European one (a metal anchor with a long shank and two curved arms, first used in the region about seven centuries ago).

[Red Badger]

CRIBBAGE BOARD.....................

[Red Badger]

[Bonemaker]

[butlerweave]

Darn treasure hunters ,LOL

[Beowulf9]

CNN doing stories about Muslim countries. Hmm.

[BradyLS]

Looks like it! Or perhaps pits for pit-and-pebble games like Mancala.

[BradyLS]

...And then I read the article and they mention that! :-/

[SunkenCiv]

...carvings at the site are those of the boats...

Thanks BenLurkin.

[V_TWIN]

The cnn reporter Dimitris Sideridis is connected to Al Jazeera News...that explain it?

[woodbutcher1963]

Don’t Forget to Drink your Ovaltine

[poinq]

The answer is always, this was some religious temple based on tracking the solstices. They don’t need any proof or evidence. Its just the default answer for anything they can’t explain. “We don’t know” is never allowed.

[PistolPaknMama]

LOL!

[PistolPaknMama]

Yes, I do love how “religious ceremony” is always the go-to answer. Maybe it’s their version of an art museum or antique car show. They have no idea.

[Ellendra]

They contain several details, such as crossing ribs and holes likely showing the placing of masts and thwarts.

Blueprints, maybe? So they can be sure they're making them the same way every time?

[Ellendra]

The answer is always, this was some religious temple based on tracking the solstices. They don’t need any proof or evidence. Its just the default answer for anything they can’t explain. “We don’t know” is never allowed.

I've heard stories of museums labeling object as "prayer sticks" or "religious objects", only to have some craftsperson come in and point out that no, those are drop spindles. And this thing here is for leatherworking.

I would love to get a close look at devices like the Antikythera Mechanism. I strongly suspect they were manufacturing tools, and not astronomy tools like they're assumed to be.

[faithhopecharity]

“Kilroy was here!” in Klingonese

[Stosh]

Earliest known location of Bpzo’s Circus? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-h1d1Uft7Q

[Beowulf9]

I don’t know if it explains it but that sure is an interesting little fact.

[TexasKamaAina]

Is it possible that sometimes ancient folks got bored and were just killing time banging away at rocks?