Heiko Kallweit - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Books by Heiko Kallweit

Papers by Heiko Kallweit

It is no surprise that the integration of remotely sensed data from both terrestrial and marine s... more It is no surprise that the integration of remotely sensed data from both terrestrial and marine sources is improving our discovery and interpretation of cultural heritage. As technological advances provide the capacity to produce and utilise large spatial data sets, their integration with existing data presents new challenges for heritage managers and future researchers. In terms of large datasets, countries such as Qatar are in a unique position given the vast amounts of commercially gathered geophysical and geotechnical data These data can be used to model past landscapes and inform future research within the region, without the major expense of large scale geophysical survey. However, the true value of such datasets can only be achieved if this leads to the pro-active management and protection of the resource, from designation and curation to forward planning and future research. Over the past year Qatar has developed a new National Historic Environment Record (known as QNHER) for this purpose. This includes data standards for recording and archiving both currently known and new archaeological sites. The diversity of cultural heritage, site types and chronology between the Arabian Peninsula and Europe meant that simply attempting to transplant western models of Historic Environment Records and heritage management was inappropriate. QNHER was therefore developed as a bespoke database together with staff from the Department of Antiquities and specifically geared towards regional chronologies, local environments, chronological and spatial variation and existing data standards. This is not to say that useful aspects of data management in other regions were ignored. Data managers were extensively consulted about the most efficient way in which data should be stored to optimise retrieval. Combined with GIS QNHER becomes a very powerful management and research tool, able to map the distribution of sites according to variable criteria and produce reports on the data from specific queries. This combined database and GIS is not simply a tool for analysis but facilitates a flow of data between the Department of Antiquities and the Urban Planning Development Authority, bringing heritage into the frame when planning decisions are taken. In addition QNHER facilitates a systematic digital record of Qatar’s known archaeological and built heritage in accordance with the Qatar Antiquity Law No. 2, 1980. By managing monuments in this way this will empower and inform heritage custodians, while leaving a lasting legacy for future researchers. A number of Antiquities departments within the GCC countries are investigating models for Historic Environment Record development and it currently seems an ideal opportunity for heritage managers across the region to meet and discuss international Arabian data standards. Such strategies impact upon education, the accessibility of heritage information to the public, and how the historic resource is managed across the Arabian Peninsula.

Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies, 2005

Assemblages of Neolithic stone artifacts from the Arabian Peninsula are mainly known for the vari... more Assemblages of Neolithic stone artifacts from the Arabian Peninsula are mainly known for the variety of large and small projectile points, commonly referred to as spearheads and arrowheads respectively. The bifacial pressure retouch process during the manufacture of this type of weaponry results in a highly sophisticated technical standard with great aesthetic value, which has, sadly, led to them being highly prized by private collectors. These eye-catching objects often overshadow less spectacular objects found in toolkits, such as scrapers, awls, drills and wedges. These tool types have long been internationally classified. While the majority of the classifications are widely accepted, modifications are made from time to time, and some of the classifications are still subject to debate. This is the case for Neolithic tool kits found on the Arabian Peninsula. Initial descriptions (Kapel 1967; Gramly 1971; Edens 1982; Edens 1988; Inizan 1988) were made over twenty years ago, and the...

Recent research by the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey in cooperation with the Department... more Recent research by the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey in cooperation with the Department of Antiquities and Tourism in Al Ain, now part of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), has revealed new Neolithic sites in the Umm az-Zamul region, located in the south-eastern desert of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The sites comprise of extensive lithic scatters spreading more than 3 kilometres alongside the south-eastern slopes of barchan dunes (crescent-shaped dunes whose arms point down-wind). The lithics scatters belong to the so-called Arabian Bifacial Tradition (ABT). Detailed recording of single flints as well as controlled total collection from defined contexts was applied. This was carried out to determine the character of the assemblage composition and to discuss the possible origins of site formation. These new sites allow us to re-examine the nature of settlement activities within the desert interior of south-eastern Arabia. Figure 1. Location...

Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 40, 2010

&quot;It is no surprise that the integration of remotely sensed data from both terrestria... more &quot;It is no surprise that the integration of remotely sensed data from both terrestrial and marine sources is improving our discovery and interpretation of cultural heritage. As technological advances provide the capacity to produce and utilise large spatial data sets, their integration with existing data presents new challenges for heritage managers and future researchers. In terms of large datasets, countries such as Qatar are in a unique position given the vast amounts of commercially gathered geophysical and geotechnical data These data can be used to model past landscapes and inform future research within the region, without the major expense of large scale geophysical survey. However, the true value of such datasets can only be achieved if this leads to the pro-active management and protection of the resource, from designation and curation to forward planning and future research. Over the past year Qatar has developed a new National Historic Environment Record (known as QNHER) for this purpose. This includes data standards for recording and archiving both currently known and new archaeological sites. The diversity of cultural heritage, site types and chronology between the Arabian Peninsula and Europe meant that simply attempting to transplant western models of Historic Environment Records and heritage management was inappropriate. QNHER was therefore developed as a bespoke database together with staff from the Department of Antiquities and specifically geared towards regional chronologies, local environments, chronological and spatial variation and existing data standards. This is not to say that useful aspects of data management in other regions were ignored. Data managers were extensively consulted about the most efficient way in which data should be stored to optimise retrieval. Combined with GIS QNHER becomes a very powerful management and research tool, able to map the distribution of sites according to variable criteria and produce reports on the data from specific queries. This combined database and GIS is not simply a tool for analysis but facilitates a flow of data between the Department of Antiquities and the Urban Planning Development Authority, bringing heritage into the frame when planning decisions are taken. In addition QNHER facilitates a systematic digital record of Qatar’s known archaeological and built heritage in accordance with the Qatar Antiquity Law No. 2, 1980. By managing monuments in this way this will empower and inform heritage custodians, while leaving a lasting legacy for future researchers. A number of Antiquities departments within the GCC countries are investigating models for Historic Environment Record development and it currently seems an ideal opportunity for heritage managers across the region to meet and discuss international Arabian data standards. Such strategies impact upon education, the accessibility of heritage information to the public, and how the historic resource is managed across the Arabian Peninsula. &quot;

Studien in Memoriam Wilhelm Schule 2001 Isbn 3896463918 Pags 240 252, 2001

This paper discusses the results and wider significance of recent archaeological excavations carr... more This paper discusses the results and wider significance of recent archaeological excavations carried out on site MR11, a Neolithic settlement located on the island of Marawah in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

This paper presents important new evidence for human occupation recently discovered in the Umm al... more This paper presents important new evidence for human occupation recently discovered in the Umm al-Zumūl region, an area located in the south-eastern desert of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. It is near this point that the UAE meets the borders of both the Sultanate of Oman and Saudi Arabia. Historically this has always been a focal point because of the presence of a sweet-water well. The area is sparsely populated and human activities today are largely confined to camel breeding and related occupations, although development of an oilfield is now under way.

Survey work in 2004 identified two extensive lithics scatters in the south-eastern desert of Abu ... more Survey work in 2004 identified two extensive lithics scatters in the south-eastern desert of Abu Dhabi at Umm az-Zumūl. Both scatters were within small interdunal areas to the south-east of large barchan dunes. At the first site (Khor al-Manāhil) a controlled pick-up of lithics recorded almost 3000 fragments of flint and stone artefacts. The typology of the artefacts suggests the scatter belongs to the so-called Arabian Bifacial Tradition (ABT). This dates the scatter to the mid-Holocene, between the seventh and fifth millennia, when the climate was wetter and the conditions more favourable. A series of undated "burnt mounds" at Khor al-Manāhil was also recorded and excavated. The second scatter (Kharimat Khor al-Manāhil) was again comprised of flints belonging to the Arabian Bifacial Tradition. OSL dating suggested that these must date later than 9000 years ago. Two shell beads, found in association with the flint scatter resemble types well known from the Neolithic cemetery of Jebel al-Buhais 18, located in Sharjah emirate in the UAE.

Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies, 2005

Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 40, 2010

Studien in Memoriam Wilhelm Schule 2001 Isbn 3896463918 Pags 240 252, 2001

H3 Al Subiyah, is a Neolithic occupational site situated on the northern fringe of Kuwait Bay dat... more H3 Al Subiyah, is a Neolithic occupational site situated on the northern fringe of Kuwait Bay dating to the 6-5th millenium BC.

The lithics of the site have been jointly examined by Dr. William Davies and Dr. Heiko Kallweit.

Where it begun – The History of Research on the Stone Age of Arabia -An overview from the perspe... more Where it begun – The History of Research on the Stone Age of Arabia
-An overview from the perspective of the National Museum of Qatar stone tools collections
In the course of Oil and Gas prospection in the middle of the last century, many archaeological sites have been identified by petrol geologists even in the interior of the Arabian Peninsula. The sites, almost entirely accumulations of stone tools on the surface of a present day deserted landscape, were obviously of a considerably old age, dating back far beyond any written records.
The mystery of a human occupation amidst a present day desert inspired an increasing research interest. The Qatar Peninsula played a major role in a first attempt to date and define these remains of an ancient, vanished Stone age culture. The National Museum of Qatar holds a unique collection of stone tools, collected by Danish archaeologists during the 1950es to 1960es. Subsequently, archaeologists from France and Britain visited Qatar and added new information to the picture.
Supposed to serve mainly as a brief overview over the research history and the importance of the collection, stored under the auspices of the Qatar Museum Authority, this contribution attempts to contextualize the Qatari collection into a broader picture.