Dr Sultan Muhesen, Senior Archaeology Consulting Advisor, and Head of the Department of Archaeology and Heritage at the Qatar Museum Authority (QMA), has been presented with the Humboldt Award for research in archaeology. The Humboldt Award, presented annually in Germany, is given in recognition of the academic excellence and international research achievements in a variety of different fields to a diverse range of academic researchers. This prestigious award is considered a landmark achievement in Dr Sultan’s professional and academic careers.

Commenting on this auspicious occasion, Dr Sultan said: “I hope that our efforts and ambition in transforming Qatar into an important centre of research in archaeology will bear fruit. We hope that through our research and excavation work we can uncover the secrets of Qatar’s rich cultural heritage, most of which remains buried in history.

Dr Sultan is one of the most distinguished archaeologists in the Middle East and the world at large. He has two doctorates in archaeology to his name from Lyon University, France, and Warsaw University, Poland. He also has a habilitation (HDR) From La Sorbonne University, Paris, and was a university professor for many years at the University of Damascus. In addition, he was Director General of Archaeology and Museums in the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as visiting professor at many international universities. He also has many titles in archaeology to his name which have been published in numerous languages.