UNESCO World Heritage Site: Qatar Introduces One of the Largest Archaeological Sites Ever

The newest site to be inducted into the UNESCO World Heritage List, the town of Al Zubarah, is the largest archaeological site ever inducted, according to BreakingTravelNews.com.

Al Zubarah is located about 100 kilometers northwest of Doha. It's a historical coastal town that has been abandoned after being founded in the mid-18^th century. The town developed into a pearling and international trade center, where it rose to become the country's largest and most important settlement.

As the town became successful, it attracted attention from other Gulf powers, which drew several attacks. The town was burned down the ground in 1811. It never recovered fully and was later abandoned in the mid-20^th century.

The abandoned city is today regarded as one of the largest and best-preserved examples of an 18^th to 19^th century merchant town in the Gulf region.

The town covers an area consisting of 60 hectares, an area that showcases the remains of palaces, mosques, streets, courtyard houses, fisherman's huts, harbor and cemeteries. The desert preserved the remains under a layer of sand that was blown to cover them, and that now enables visitors from around the world to feel like they've stepped back in time to Qatar during that era.

A Danish-led team of archaeologists first reported the discovery of Al Zubarah in the 1950s. It was later excavated by both Danish and Qatari teams of archaeologists.

Studies at the site have led to a large number of archaeological finds from the 18^th-19^th century. They are now part of Qatar's permanent collection and will be featured in the museum galleries.

Al Zubarah is the first site in Qatar to be added to the World Heritage List. It currently includes over 900 historical and cultural sites around the world, including Yellowstone National Park in the U.S. and the Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.

The addition of this new site adds to Qatar's status as a top destination in the Middle East, an area known to offer diverse attractions and experiences to suit all tastes.