Coins from Al-Zubarah, Qatar: A historical-scientific study

Abstract

A surface archaeological coins “Zu/111 found at the old town of Al-Zubarah, Qatar” has been analysed complementarily using historic and scientific characterization techniques. For example, a scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive x-ray (EDS) unit, an x-ray fluorescence (XRF) microprobe and an x-ray Diffractometer(XRD) were used in order to investigate the chemical composition and the different phases of the coin alloy. This research used integrated methodologies and techniques to examine and interpret the coin and link it to its original archaeological context. A description of the front and rear sides of the coin followed by comments on the design, engraved text, coin calculation method, geographical locations, minting techniques, calligraphy, currency was analyzed in details. This work investigated historically using scientific tools how this coin travelled from Istanbul, Turkey to Al-Zubarah, Qatar