A BOOK highlighting the story behind the conception and building of Qal’at Al Bahrain museum was launched at the 17th Bahrain International Book Fair by Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) yesterday.

‘Qal’at Al Bahrain: Ancient harbour and capital of Dilmun – The site museum’ has been edited by Baca archaeological affairs counsellor and mission head Dr Pierre Lombard, with contributions from Monik Kervran and Clau Wohlert.

The book, in English, is aimed at enhancing the experience of visitors to the archaeological site listed as a Unesco World Heritage site since 2005.

Built along the water front of the site, on non-archaeological reclaimed land, this 2,000sqm museum draws on the Danish company Wohlert Arkitekter’s international experience, merging it with traditional, local architectural tradition to create a unique place for sharing encounters, discovery and historical memory.

The museum, which opened in February 2008, houses more than 500 artefacts uncovered during excavations carried out from 1954 by Danish, French and Bahraini teams.

This publication presents the chronological sections of the museum, together with rich illustrations of the main exhibited artefacts, in relation to the history of the excavations and the discovered monuments at Qal’at Al Bahrain.