21 March 2017
Bahrain Culture Authority Signs Two Excavation Agreements
with Danish and French Expeditions to Bu Saiba & A’ali Royal Mounds
Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities (BACA) has signed two archaeological excavations agreements with the Danish and French expeditions. Speaking on the occasion, H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of the Culture Authority said “ By signing these agreements, we complement the work undergone of excavations and findings of hidden archaeological treasures that shape the historical and unique genuine identity of Bahrain. These agreements come as part of BACA’s year-long celebration of Bahrain’s archaeological heritage in 2017 under the slogan "Our Year of Archaeology “.
H.E added saying “ Bahrain Culture Authority deploys strenuous efforts to highlight the historical importance of Bahrain’s historical and archeological legacy, given the central role that the findings can play in tracing a timeline of Bahrain civilizations. Promoting our country and encouraging sustainable cultural tourism, which a UN recommendation for 2017, are at our top priorities. World Tourism Organization has appointed and honored many world ambassadors for tourism in order to promote the historical and civilizational characteristics of their countries for sustainable development goals”, H.E concluded.
The archaeological expedition, represented by Dr. Steven Larsen, started excavations works in Bahrain in 1953, mainly in A’aali village where they uncovered an ancient Dilmun village; and Al A'ali burial mounds. The new mission of the Danish expedition will focus on and carry on the successful previous archaeological findings discovered jointly by “ BACA” and Danish Moesguard Museum during the seasons of 2010-2013 at the same site. A’ali Royal burial mounds and the historical timeline of early royals buried there will be at the center of the Danish’s mission.
The French archaeological expedition, represented by Dr. Pierre Lombard, has carried out 16 excavation expeditions in Bahrain since 1989, mainly at Qal’at al-Bahrain, the most important archaeological site of the Bahrain archipelago, and very probably its ancient capital during the Antiquity. Tylos, Dilmun and some layers of the Islamic period were unearthed by the French archaeologists who also discovered many scientific information and priceless artefacts. They also discovered around 100 Acadian language cuneiform tablets and a series of clay statutes that are unique in GCC region, opening a new glorious phase in Bahrain’s deeply-rooted history.
The new excavation expedition will concentrate basically on Abu Saiba burial mounds to trace the historical periods during Tylos civilization. Worth to mention that only one mound was partly excavated in Abu Saiba in the late 1980s by a Bahraini archaeological team led by Khalid Al-Sindi.
