01 November 2014
Ruler of Sharjah and H.E Minister of Culture Inaugurated Ancient Bahrain: the Power of Trade Exhibition
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated this morning an exhibition entitled 'Ancient Bahrain: The Power of Trade' (2nd Millennium BC -3rd Century AD), at the provisional exhibition hall at Sharjah Archaeology Museum. His Highness toured the exhibition, listening to a detailed overview of the valuable exhibits and what they represent in terms of cultural richness and historical importance. His Highness was accompanied by Her Excellency Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain Minister of Culture; Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman AL Qasimi, Director of His Highness Office, HE Mohammed bin Hamad Al Mo'awda, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the UAE; HE Abdullah Bin Mohamed Al Owais, Head of Sharjah Department of Culture and Information, Dr. Nadine Boksmati, Advisor at the Ministry of Culture, Bahrain; Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Department; Dr. Pierre Lombard, Archeology Advisor at the Ministry of Culture, Bahrain; Mr. Rashad Faraj, Acting Director of Bahrain National Museum.
Commenting on this event, Her Excellency Shaikha Mai said: "Our present is merely the continuation of a long history that our nations share. Our ancestors turned this coast into a harbor for civilization and this exhibition sheds new light on the historical significance of Bahrain's contribution to humanity, and the Bahraini heritage as a part of the wider Gulf region. We are very happy to hold this exhibition in Sharjah, as a fitting tribute to Sharjah's position as 2014 Capital of Islamic Culture."
The exhibition, which will run until March 29 2015, is the result of the groundbreaking collaboration between Sharjah Archaeology Museum and Bahrain National Museum, and supports initiatives between Bahrain Ministry of Culture and Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) to enhance partnership and collaboration on various cultural ventures. It also coincides with Sharjah's celebrations as 2014 Capital of Islamic Culture and Capital of Arabic Tourism 2015, as well as Manama's status as a Capital of Asian Tourism 2014.
The exhibition represents an important opportunity for visitors to explore the social and cultural domains of old Bahrain, which were created by the large volume of trade activities, and the exceptional location of the island in the heart of the old world, making it a melting pot for old markets and cultures. Despite some evidence of local culture being influenced by this situation, archaeological evidence also shows that local communities still preserved their indigenous culture at the same time, which indicates its strengths and resilience. This idea forms an important part of the message the exhibition is trying to deliver.
The exhibition offers a fascinating insight into ancient trade links around the Arabian Gulf and features artifacts from Bahrain National Museum's permanent collection, focusing on the Dilmun civilization.
Exhibits are categorized in four main groups. These are: 'Dilmun and Tylos, Centuries of Commerce and Prosperity'; 'Dilmun: The Storage of the Gulf in the Bronze and Iron Ages (2000-500 B.C.)'; 'Tylos, the Trade Routes Cross-Road (300-200 B.C.)'; and 'Beyond Trade Influence: A Rich Local Culture'. The exhibition is a successful illustration of Dilmun and Tylos as prosperous markets on important marine trade routes.
The exhibition will display about 150 selected artifacts from the Bahrain National Museum's permanent collection, including stone stamps, pottery, glassware, ivory and alabaster kitchen pieces, in addition to golden pieces and stone exhibits that testify to the richness of the region's trade activity during that era. The islands of Bahrain first stepped onto the stage of history some 3000 years BC as the centre of one of the great trading empires of the ancient world. This was the civilization of Dilmun -- founded during the Bronze Age and lasting in one form or another for over 2000 years. Dilmun developed as a centre of trade and commerce because of its location along the trade routes linking Mesopotamia with the Indus Valley. Its decline dates from the time the Indus Valley civilization fell in the middle of the second millennium BC. Once the decline had set in it continued over the following centuries. There is mention of Dilmun as a vassal of Assyria in the 8th century BC and by about 600 BC it had been fully incorporated into the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
