After spending almost half a day in Bahrain National Museum (BNM), I landed up at Qal’at Al-Bahrain and its site museum. BNM drew a clear picture of Bahrain’s rich history in my mind while Qal’at Al-Bahrain and its site museum painted it with wealthy crayons.
The natural access channel to Qal’at Al-Bahrain and its strategic positioning made this site into a privileged entrance point for economic exchange. This function must have reinforced its role as the capital of Dilmun – the most important ancient civilization of the Gulf from the end of 3rd to the middle of the first millennium B.C. – and a prominent trading post linking Mesopotamia, Persia, Eastern Arabia, Central Asia and the Indus Valley Civilization. In the Hellenistic period, the settlement lost its capital status but nevertheless remains one of the island’s most important cities.
The regional political upheavals during the Islamic period have close affected the settlement which became subject for international rivalry. The successive building stages and continuous buttressing of the fortress from the 13th to the 16th century A.D. reflect the changing socio-political situation.
Before entering the fort, it is recommended to have a look at the site museum. The site museum opened to the public in Feb2008. It was designed by world-renowned Wohlert Arkitekter and sponsored by Arcapita Investment Bank. Its location along the waterfront proximity to the palm groves, endows it with a stunning location overlooking the archaeological site.
The display area consists of 5 exhibition halls organized around a massive wall- Tell Wall. The 8 meters wall recreates the different archaeological layers recovered on site and constitutes a significant backdrop to the exhibit. The 500 displayed artifacts relate the long settlement history of the site, once the Capital of Dilmun and its ancient harbor.
Before leaving the site museum and heading towards fort, I asked the guided tour. However, the museum offered me an Audio Guide device which has preloaded audios regarding all points of interest in the area. The device itself is a guide. It comes with a map which enables you to navigate to any place and provides excellent information of 4000 yr old rich history …… from Dilmun (oldest civilization in Arabian Peninsula parallel to Indus Valley Civilization) to --> Greek Era when the region was the part of the dynasty of ‘Alexander the Great’ to --> the Islamic and Portuguese Era.Here is the brief history of the region:
Early Dilmun (2200 – 1750 B.C.):
The first city “City I” (2200 B.C.) was a small settlement organized on oasis agriculture, hunting and fishing. The archaeological material discovered testifies to the trade connection with Sumer, Oamn and Indus valley civilization. The settlement progressively grew and flourished in the next century.
In fact, “City II” (2050 to 1750 B.C.) was well fortified city covering a surface of 12 to 15 hectors. The archaeological excavations uncovered a group of monumental architecture which has been defined as a palace. The settlement prospered for several hundred years and enjoyed significant regional trade contracts.
Middle Dilmun (1750 – 900 B.C.):
Towards the middle of the 15th century B.C. the site was occupied by settlers from Mesopotamia – the Kessites. Archaeological work uncovered the residence of the new governors which was probably settled in the restored palace of the former kings of Dilmun. The palatial complex housed an active administration as is attested by the recovered archive. A large number of hundred cuneiform tables written in Akkadian language document the political and commercial transaction of the Kassite administration. After its destruction by violent fire at the beginning of the 14th century B.C., the palace was occasionally occupied by “squatters”.
Late Dimun (900 – 300 B.C.):
The late Dilmun period is characterized by a new phase of prosperity. Major leveling and re-organization of the area was attested. In particular, a luxurious architectural complex, featuring public and private areas, a central courtyard and elaborate sanitary system, has been attributed to the king Uperi who ruled at the end of 8th century B.C. In the vicinity of the palace, metallurgic workshop and a sanctuary were exposed. Interestingly, more than fifty snake sacrifices, deposited in the bowls under the floor in several areas of the palace were recovered.
Tylos (300 B.C. – 600 A.D.):
During the Hellenistic period, known as Tylos, the island underwent an exceptional phase of prosperity. Although the city lost its status as the island’s capital, it remained a major port for a couple of centuries. The wealth of the settlement and diversified character of the Tylos culture are reflected in the material record and dwellings of the 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C.
The second century A.D. witnessed a progressive abandonment of the settlement. In the 3rd century A.D., a fortress was built north of the settlement and used as an important military-administrative complex during next 2 centuries.
Islamic period (12th to 17th century A.D.):
The settlement of Qal’at Al-Bahrain had probably become a modest fishing village during the first six centuries of the Hegira. It was not until the 12th century A.D. that significant activities were attested. As the former coastal Tylos fortress was converted into commercial warehouse, commercial activity resumed and caused the settlement.
Following political upheavals and shift of powers at the end of the 13th – beginning of the 14th centuries A.D., new fortress was erected under the tutelage of the princes of Hormuz. The new fort covered a large surface and was protected by moat. The fort was constantly restored and reimbursed in the coming years as a result of Portuguese assaults and later Ottomans.
Progressively, as the access channel to the site became too shallow, the maritime traffic was directed to Manama and Qal’at Al-Bahrain site was abandoned.
Information Source – Bahrain National Museum & Qal’at Al-Bahrain site museum
Pearls
Greek Coins excavated from the site.
Remains of original fort in front of Qala't Al Bahrain. This fort was built by Greeks.
I clicked few snaps of Qala't Al Bahrain. Below is the Flash Presentation of the same.
External Link: For excellent audio-visual tours, 3D imagery, maps and in depth information please visit :
http://archive.cyark.org/qalat-albahrain-intro
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