The first book of its kind to be published for a general readership from youngsters upwards, Hidden in the Sands: Uncovering Qatar's Past is the fascinating, fun and educational story of Qatar's heritage and the exciting discoveries being made by archaeologists. This informative and delightful book is designed to assist in the teaching of the new Qatari History Curriculum directive. It is published through the generosity of Maersk Oil as part of its program to support education and unlock Qatar's history and heritage. Hidden beneath the sand and sea and revealed on rocks are the clues which explain why this ancient land has been such a key region throughout history. Here you can follow the detective work of archaeologists and discover Qatar's rich past. In conjunction with a fully interactive website and also available in an Arabic edition, Hidden in the Sands describes in words and pictures the treasures uncovered by archaeologists, the methods they use, and the significance of their discoveries. Today, using state-of-the-art technology for excavation, dating and conservation, teams of experts are working all over Qatar to reconstruct its past. Fully illustrated with photographs, maps and diagrams, Hidden in the Sands is embellished by the vivid and evocative illustrations of the artist Norman MacDonald. Told simply but with in-depth and up-to-date detail, it leads readers through the fascinating world of archaeology. Like reconstructing an earthenware jar from a hundred little shards, this book pieces together the fragments of the past to produce a complete and beautiful whole. The 15 chapters include: Archaeology in Qatar; How Archaeologists Work; The First People; Early Coastal Settlements; Stone Tools; Making Tools from Stone; Colour from the Sea; The Mounds of the Dead; Rock Carvings; The Golden Age; Nomads of the Desert; Seeking the Angels' Teardrops; Al Zubara; A Lost Settlement and an Ancient Fort; and Conservation of Archaeological Finds. It also contains a comprehensive Glossary, and a map showing all the main archaeological sites, as well as maps illustrating how the shape of Qatar has changed over the last 15,000 years.