Qal'at al-Bahrain
Encyclopedia
The Qal'at al-Bahrain
The Qal'at al-Bahrain (in , also known as the Bahrain Fort or Fort of Bahrain and previously as the Portugal Fort (Qal'at al Portugal) is an archaeological site located in Bahrain
. Archaeological excavations carried out since 1954 have unearthed antiquaries from an artificial mound of 12 m height containing seven stratified layers, created by various occupants from 2300 BC up to the 18th century, including Kassites
, Portuguese
and Persians. It was once the capital of the Dilmun civilization and was inscribed as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site
in 2005.
The first Bahrain Fort was built around three thousand years ago, on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island. The present fort dates from the sixth century CE. The capital of the Dilmun civilization, Dilmun was known as the "land of immortality" and the ancestral place of Sumerians, a place where the Gods met.
The site has been termed as Bahrain's "most important site in antiquity" and excavations have been carried out since 1954. The first excavation at the site was carried out by a Danish expedition between 1954 and 1970 which was later followed up by a French expedition from 1977. Since 1987 Bahrain archaeologists have been involved with this work. The archaeological findings have revealed seven civilizations of urban structures beginning with Dilmun empire, the most important ancient civilizations of the region. The Danish expedition revealed that it was a notable Hellenistic site.
are located on the Bahrain island, 6 km from the seashore towards the Northeast. On a clear day it is also seen from Saar
. It stands like a "sentinel" near Manama
, the capital of Bahrain; it is 4 km away from Manama in the fertile north coast. The tel is the largest in the Gulf region and was built close to the port and built by reclamation of seashore land.
— an artificial mound
created by many successive layers of human occupation. The strata
spread over an area 180000 sqft, laid out over the 300×600m tell, testifies to continuous human presence from about 2300 BC to the 16th century AD. About 25% of the site has been excavate
d revealing structures of different types: residential, public, commercial, religious and military. They testify to the importance of the site as a trading port over the centuries. On the top of the 12m high mound, there is the impressive Qal`at al-Burtughal (Portuguese
fort
), which gave the whole site its name, qal`a, meaning "fort}. The site was the capital of the Dilmun
, one of the most important ancient civilizations of the region. It contains the richest remains inventoried of this civilization, which was hitherto only known from written Sumerian
references.
The site contains many areas and walls, including Saar necropolis, Al-Hajjar necropolis, Kassite Palace, Madimat Hermand necropolis, Madimat Isa necropolis, Al-Maqsha Necropolis, Palace of Uperi, Shakhura necropolis, and the Northern city wall. The ruins of the copper age consists of two sections of the fortification wall and the streets and houses immediately within it and a colossal building on the edge of the moat of the Portuguese fort in the centre. Barbar pottery has been unearthed around the walls of the central building, dating back to the same age as the Barbar Temple
s, although other pottery and range of artefacts unearthed indicated some of them predated the temples, dating back to 3000 BC or later. Relics of copper and ivory provide an insight into ancient trade links. Many vessels have been unearthed on the site, and Danish excavations of the Palace of Uperi area revealed "snake bowls", sarcophagus and a mirror, and many others.
The fortifications seen in the excavated tel area were found around the township and were erected in cardinal directions. The fort walls are seen now only in the northern, western and southern slopes of the tel, and the eastern side is yet to be excavated. The fortifications covered an area of 15 ha and the walls were built with varying thickness with stone masonry with gates to allow for donkey carrying loads to pass through. The fortifications were frequently raised, as noted from the gates erected at four levels; the latest gate had two polished stone (made of fine grained material) pivots to fix a double leafed gate. The western wall was seen well preserved for a length of 30 ft. The streets were laid in north-south direction and were 12 m wide.
In the centre of the tel was a palace at a commanding location consisting of several warehouses which was inferred as indicative of economic activity of the Dilmun period. Proceeding from here towards the north along the street leads to a large gate that probably was the entry to the palace grounds. The modest houses built to the same size and type of construction were laid along a network of roads.
The place prospered till 1800 BC where after it was deserted. Eventually the town became covered with drift sand from the sea.
and Mesopotamia
. Stamp seals of the Dilmun type were also recovered from the excavations.
Pots and vessels were also found. Pots are confirmation of use for cooking. The large vessels were used for import of food and drinks from Oman and Mesopotamia. Several artifacts found, such as a cuneiform
inscription and hematite
link to Mesopotamia, steatite bowls are from Oman, and carnelian beads, a stone weight and a few potsherds are inferred as from the Indus Civilization.
The Qal'at al-Bahrain (in , also known as the Bahrain Fort or Fort of Bahrain and previously as the Portugal Fort (Qal'at al Portugal) is an archaeological site located in Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
. Archaeological excavations carried out since 1954 have unearthed antiquaries from an artificial mound of 12 m height containing seven stratified layers, created by various occupants from 2300 BC up to the 18th century, including Kassites
Kassites
The Kassites were an ancient Near Eastern people who gained control of Babylonia after the fall of the Old Babylonian Empire after ca. 1531 BC to ca. 1155 BC...
, Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
and Persians. It was once the capital of the Dilmun civilization and was inscribed as a UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
in 2005.
History and explorations
The archaeological finds unearthed in the fort reveal much about the history of the country. The area is believed to have been occupied for some 5000 years and contains a valuable insight into the copper and Bronze Ages of Bahrain.The first Bahrain Fort was built around three thousand years ago, on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island. The present fort dates from the sixth century CE. The capital of the Dilmun civilization, Dilmun was known as the "land of immortality" and the ancestral place of Sumerians, a place where the Gods met.
The site has been termed as Bahrain's "most important site in antiquity" and excavations have been carried out since 1954. The first excavation at the site was carried out by a Danish expedition between 1954 and 1970 which was later followed up by a French expedition from 1977. Since 1987 Bahrain archaeologists have been involved with this work. The archaeological findings have revealed seven civilizations of urban structures beginning with Dilmun empire, the most important ancient civilizations of the region. The Danish expedition revealed that it was a notable Hellenistic site.
Geography
The fort and the telTell
A tell or tel, is a type of archaeological mound created by human occupation and abandonment of a geographical site over many centuries. A classic tell looks like a low, truncated cone with a flat top and sloping sides.-Archaeology:A tell is a hill created by different civilizations living and...
are located on the Bahrain island, 6 km from the seashore towards the Northeast. On a clear day it is also seen from Saar
Sar, Bahrain
Sar is a village in Bahrain with an affluent residential district alongside a poverty stricken area. It is known to be a town of ambassadors, expatriates and wealthy Bahrainis....
. It stands like a "sentinel" near Manama
Manama
Manama is the capital and largest city of Bahrain, with an approximate population of 155,000 people.Long an important trading center in the Persian Gulf, Manama is home to a very diverse population...
, the capital of Bahrain; it is 4 km away from Manama in the fertile north coast. The tel is the largest in the Gulf region and was built close to the port and built by reclamation of seashore land.
Description
Qal`at al-Bahrain is a typical tellTell
A tell or tel, is a type of archaeological mound created by human occupation and abandonment of a geographical site over many centuries. A classic tell looks like a low, truncated cone with a flat top and sloping sides.-Archaeology:A tell is a hill created by different civilizations living and...
— an artificial mound
Mound
A mound is a general term for an artificial heaped pile of earth, gravel, sand, rocks, or debris. The most common use is in reference to natural earthen formation such as hills and mountains, particularly if they appear artificial. The term may also be applied to any rounded area of topographically...
created by many successive layers of human occupation. The strata
Stratum
In geology and related fields, a stratum is a layer of sedimentary rock or soil with internally consistent characteristics that distinguish it from other layers...
spread over an area 180000 sqft, laid out over the 300×600m tell, testifies to continuous human presence from about 2300 BC to the 16th century AD. About 25% of the site has been excavate
Excavate
The excavates are a major kingdom of unicellular eukaryotes, often known as Excavata. The phylogenetic category Excavata, proposed by Cavalier-Smith in 2002, contains a variety of free-living and symbiotic forms, and also includes some important parasites of humans.-Characteristics:Many excavates...
d revealing structures of different types: residential, public, commercial, religious and military. They testify to the importance of the site as a trading port over the centuries. On the top of the 12m high mound, there is the impressive Qal`at al-Burtughal (Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
fort
Qalat (fortress)
The word qalat is Persian for 'fortified place.' It frequently occurs in place names. Qalats can range from castles like Rumkale to the mud-brick compound common throughout southwest Asia, particularly in tribal areas with pre-modern building practices....
), which gave the whole site its name, qal`a, meaning "fort}. The site was the capital of the Dilmun
Dilmun
Dilmun or Telmun is a land mentioned by Mesopotamian civilizations as a trade partner, a source of the metal copper, and an entrepôt of the Mesopotamia-to-Indus Valley Civilization trade route...
, one of the most important ancient civilizations of the region. It contains the richest remains inventoried of this civilization, which was hitherto only known from written Sumerian
Sumerian language
Sumerian is the language of ancient Sumer, which was spoken in southern Mesopotamia since at least the 4th millennium BC. During the 3rd millennium BC, there developed a very intimate cultural symbiosis between the Sumerians and the Akkadians, which included widespread bilingualism...
references.
The site contains many areas and walls, including Saar necropolis, Al-Hajjar necropolis, Kassite Palace, Madimat Hermand necropolis, Madimat Isa necropolis, Al-Maqsha Necropolis, Palace of Uperi, Shakhura necropolis, and the Northern city wall. The ruins of the copper age consists of two sections of the fortification wall and the streets and houses immediately within it and a colossal building on the edge of the moat of the Portuguese fort in the centre. Barbar pottery has been unearthed around the walls of the central building, dating back to the same age as the Barbar Temple
Barbar temple
The Barbar Temple is an archaeological site located in the village of Barbar, Bahrain, and considered to be part of the Dilmun culture. The most recent of the three Barbar temples was rediscovered by a Danish archaeological team in 1954. A further two temples were discovered on the site with the...
s, although other pottery and range of artefacts unearthed indicated some of them predated the temples, dating back to 3000 BC or later. Relics of copper and ivory provide an insight into ancient trade links. Many vessels have been unearthed on the site, and Danish excavations of the Palace of Uperi area revealed "snake bowls", sarcophagus and a mirror, and many others.
Layout
The excavations of the tel has revealed a small settlement, the only one of that period in all of eastern Arabia, on its northern side. It has been inferred that the village was settled by people who developed agriculture near the oasis, planted palm trees, tended cattle, sheep and goat and also ventured into fishing in the Arabian Sea. The small houses that they built were made of rough stone with clay and or mortar as binding material. The houses had with plastered floors and were spacious. The village had well laid out streets.The fortifications seen in the excavated tel area were found around the township and were erected in cardinal directions. The fort walls are seen now only in the northern, western and southern slopes of the tel, and the eastern side is yet to be excavated. The fortifications covered an area of 15 ha and the walls were built with varying thickness with stone masonry with gates to allow for donkey carrying loads to pass through. The fortifications were frequently raised, as noted from the gates erected at four levels; the latest gate had two polished stone (made of fine grained material) pivots to fix a double leafed gate. The western wall was seen well preserved for a length of 30 ft. The streets were laid in north-south direction and were 12 m wide.
In the centre of the tel was a palace at a commanding location consisting of several warehouses which was inferred as indicative of economic activity of the Dilmun period. Proceeding from here towards the north along the street leads to a large gate that probably was the entry to the palace grounds. The modest houses built to the same size and type of construction were laid along a network of roads.
The place prospered till 1800 BC where after it was deserted. Eventually the town became covered with drift sand from the sea.
Antiquaries
Metal artifacts found in the tel were limited to copper pieces, a socketed spearhead, fishing tools; a workshop of 15x35 m size was also identified where copper casting two piece moulds and wax moulds were found. small and large crucibles used for melting of the metal were recovered in substantial quantities indicative of large scale manufacture by professional artisans. This is also indicative of trading in such copper ware with OmanOman
Oman , officially called the Sultanate of Oman , is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the...
and Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia is a toponym for the area of the Tigris–Euphrates river system, largely corresponding to modern-day Iraq, northeastern Syria, southeastern Turkey and southwestern Iran.Widely considered to be the cradle of civilization, Bronze Age Mesopotamia included Sumer and the...
. Stamp seals of the Dilmun type were also recovered from the excavations.
Pots and vessels were also found. Pots are confirmation of use for cooking. The large vessels were used for import of food and drinks from Oman and Mesopotamia. Several artifacts found, such as a cuneiform
Cuneiform
Cuneiform can refer to:*Cuneiform script, an ancient writing system originating in Mesopotamia in the 4th millennium BC*Cuneiform , three bones in the human foot*Cuneiform Records, a music record label...
inscription and hematite
Hematite
Hematite, also spelled as haematite, is the mineral form of iron oxide , one of several iron oxides. Hematite crystallizes in the rhombohedral system, and it has the same crystal structure as ilmenite and corundum...
link to Mesopotamia, steatite bowls are from Oman, and carnelian beads, a stone weight and a few potsherds are inferred as from the Indus Civilization.
External Links
- Qal'at al-Bahrain digital media archive – Photos, laser scans, panoramas of Angkor Wat and Banteay Kdei from a CyArkCyArkCyArk is a 501 nonprofit organization located in Oakland, California, United States. The company's website refers to it as a "digital archive of the world’s heritage sites for preservation and education"...
/Kingdom of Bahrain partnership.
See also
- Cities of the ancient Near EastCities of the ancient Near EastThe largest cities in the Bronze Age ancient Near East housed several tens of thousands. Memphis in the Early Bronze Age with some 30,000 inhabitants was the largest city of the time by far...