A LARGE storage jar dating back to the Umayyad era has been unearthed in Muharraq.
Described by historians as the ‘most complete jar ever found in Bahrain’, the artefact which is nearly a metre in diameter was dug out from an Islamic settlement.
“It took an international team of archaeologists two days to remove the centuries-old jar and transfer it safely to Bahrain National Museum,” the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities said in a statement last night.
The team had been studying the earliest Islamic settlement more than three metres below the ground surface.
“A tiny bone, or ivory cross, as well as a pot sealed with a lid and an oyster shell have also been uncovered,” the authority said.
“Archaeologists presume that early Christians may have lived in this part of Muharraq as well as Samaheej.”
Led by Professor Tim Insoll and Dr Rachel MacLean of the University of Exeter, UK, the team had been working with their Baca counterparts led by Dr Salman Al Mahari, director of archaeology and museums.
The pot – possibly hidden in the 16th or 17th century when Bahrain was going through a turbulent period of its history – appears to contain small and big metallic coins wrapped in cloth.
“The pot is indeed a precious treasure,” Baca said, adding that the artefact was subjected to computerised tomography (CT) scan at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) to identify its content.
This is the first time CT scan is being used to examine unearthed artefacts in Bahrain.
“The pot is in a bad condition and needs restoration,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the team has also found evidence of ‘Christian diet’, having unearthed a pig jawbone at a Christian site dating back to the sixth century BC in Samaheej. Archaeologists had started their excavations at the site in 2019.
“The team has identified the kitchen area, the communal dining hall, a workroom and two living rooms,” the authority said.
“The living rooms originally decorated with finely carved plaster reveal that the building was the home of someone of wealth and importance – possibly even the Bishop of Meshmahig (now Samahij).
Wealth
“In the workroom, three beautiful spindle whorls (for spinning thread) made from glass, alabaster and ivory were found near three bronze needles, suggesting that needlework had been an important activity.”
The team also unearthed an oyster shell painted and shaped like a face.
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