Qal’at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun

Qal’at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun 

Short Report

Al Qal'at al-Bahrain is a typical tell - an artificial mound created by many successive layers of human habitation. The layers of the 300 × 600 m tell witnesses of a permanent human presence of approximately 2300 VOLTS. BC until the 16th century AD. Approximately 25% of the site is excavated, revealing structures of different types: housing, public, commercial, religious and military. They bear witness to the importance of the site, a trade in the port in the course of the centuries. On the top of the 12 m mound is the impressive Portuguese fort, which has the entire site are name, al qal'a (fort).  The site was the capital of the Dilmun, one of the most ancient civilizations in the region. The contains the richest remains an inventory of this civilisation was until now only known from written Sumerian references.

Outstanding Universal Value

Al Qal'at al-Bahrain: Old Port and Capital of Dilmun is an archaeological site that consists of four main elements: an archaeological tell (an artificial hill formed in the time of the successive appeals) of more than 16 hectares, Directly adjacent to the north coast of Bahrain, a sea tower tell about 1600m north-west of the ghent-terneuzen of something; a less than 16 ha via the reef near the sea tower and palm groves. The palm-orchards and the traditional agricultural gardens around the site within the whole area of the spatial component of the buffer zone, is particularly noticeable in the western and northern parties, but also that have taken place on the east and south-east Europe sides. The property is located in the Northern Governorate of Al Qalah village district on the northern coast approximately 5.5 km to the West of Manama, the capital of Bahrain.

Al Qal'at al-Bahrain is an exceptional example of a more or less continuous continuity of occupation over a period of nearly 4500 years, from about 2300 V. BC to the present, on the island of Bahrain. Tell the archaeological excavations, the largest known in Bahrain, is unique within the entire region East of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States the most complete example known of a deep and intact stratigraphic sequence for the majority of periods in Bahrain and the Gulf. It offers an excellent example of the power of Dilmun and its successors during the Tylos and Islamic period, as expressed by the restriction of trade through the Gulf. These qualities are reflected in the monumental and defensive architecture of the site, the beautifully preserved urban structure and the extremely important findings by archaeologists excavating for telling. The sea tower, probably an old lighthouse, is unique in the region as an example of old maritime architecture and the adjacent sea channel shows the importance of this city in maritime trade routes in antiquity. Al Qal'at al-Bahrain, considered the capital of the old Dilmun Empire and the original port of this already long lost civilisation, Was the center of commercial activities between the traditional agriculture of the ground (represented by the traditional palm orchards and gardens which date from ancient times and still exist around the site) with maritime trade between such diverse areas as Indus- Valley and Mesopotamia in the early period (from the 3rd millennium BC to the 1st millennium V. CHR.) and China and the Mediterranean in the subsequent period (from the 3RD to the 16th century Ad). He acts as a hub for economic exchange, Al Qal'at al-Bahrain had a very active commercial and political presence in the region as a whole.

The meeting of cultures which resulted is expressed in the testimony of the consecutive monumental and defensive architecture of the site including an excavated along fort dating back to the 3rd century A.D. and the large fortress on the tell itself dates back to the 16th century and the site name as Al Qal'at al-Bahrain, Together with the beautifully preserved urban structure and the extremely important and various findings show a blend of languages, cultures and beliefs. For example, a madbasa (an architectural element used to date syrup) within the tell is one of the oldest in the world and provides a link to the surrounding date palm groves, showing that the continuity of traditional agricultural practices from the 1st millennium BC. The site, located in a very strategic location, was a very significant part of the regional Gap political network and plays a very active political role in different periods, which traces in the different layers of the tell. Al Qal'at al-Bahrain is a unique example of a surviving old landscape with natural and cultural elements.

Wide Report

Al Qal'at al-Bahrain is an archaeological site surrounded by palm groves. He has the form and all the characteristics of a typical tel, made by successive occupation layers built on top of the other. Archaeological excavations on the site began 50 years ago with a Danish expedition, which between 1954 and 1970, followed by a French expedition since 1978 and archaeologists of Bahrain since 1987.

The oldest stratum on the site dating from around 2300 v. BC., consists of what were probably residential structures, located near the sea. This was the period in which a thick masonry wall was built, to surround and protect the settlement. A subsequent wall, possible strengthening of the first, was around 1450 BC. Different occupation layers were uncovered in the central excavation. The main architecture uncovered consists of a street, measure 12 m wide, with large, monumental structures on both sides. The old buildings were amended and extended, to serve as the palace of the governor Kassite (Kassites were the Mesopotamian colonizers of the site). In the same area excavations, various luxury homes, with private and public spaces and extensive health system, also belong to the same period.

This was a major port city, where people and traditions from different parts of the then known world met lived and their commercial activities. It was the capital of one of the most ancient civilizations in the region - the Dilmun civilisation. A coastal state fort was dug up in the northern part of the site. It was probably not built for the 3rd century AD. The building materials are reused for the construction of the large medieval castle - Bahrain Fort.

From the 16th century to the abandonment of the site, especially for military purposes. A large fortress which was built on the top of the tel dominates the site and even gave his name. The large fort of Bahrain has different stages. The first phase dating back to the beginning of the 15th century. In 1529 the first major extension of the fortress and the canal took place, as well as the adaptation of modern artillery. The third stage is the one gave the castle its present form. This phase dating back to 1561, when the island was under Portuguese rule and various corner bastions in Genoese style were added and the canal increased.

The strengthening and extension of the fortress reflects the growing importance of the maritime trade route to India and China, as well as the rivalry between the principality of Hormuz, the Portuguese, the Persian Safavids and the Ottoman Turks. The old access channel, cut the flesh in the coral reef, making the site attractive for centuries, had become almost completely silted up in this time, and can only be reached by small boats and at high tide. This was also the main reason for the abandonment of the whole site of Al Qal'at al-Bahrain, and the gradual transition from a 4,500-year-old settlement on an archaeological site.

The palaces of Dilmun are unique examples of the architecture of this culture, which had an impact on the field of architecture in general in the region. The other forts are the best examples of defensive work from the 3rd century BC until the 16th century AD, all on one site. The protected palm groves around the site illustrate the typical landscape and agriculture in the region since the 3rd century BC.

Source:whc/unesco