Aerial views of the quadrangular fort of Zekreet, west of Qatar, allow us to see – to the right of the fort – the ruins of an imposing ‘madabi’ (date press) for the production of date syrup. The absence of a palm grove in the region suggests a possible commercial relationship between Qatar and Bahrain at the beginning of the 19th century, with dates arriving by boat. Excavations at the site have established that life was organised in unbuilt structures and perhaps on a seasonal basis. The artisanal activity of the madabi was complemented by livestock breeding (goats and dromedaries) and pearl oyster fishing, attested by a large deposit of shells.