ANCIENT natural springs could be preserved as part of public gardens to provide a social outlet for area residents while also protecting archaeological sites.
Sophisticated water distribution and irrigation systems connected to natural springs were found and fenced off in the Northern Governorate by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) as part of preservation efforts.
According to historians, Bahrain is believed to have more than 30 natural fresh-water springs which were a key component in supporting communities on the island.
Two natural springs – Ain Al Hakeem in Shahrakan and Ain Um Jurai’ in Hamad Town – were visited by Northern Municipal Councillors accompanied by Baca Museums and Antiquities director Dr Salman Al Mahari.
He said that Ain Al Hakeem is one of the natural springs that was connected to an ancient irrigation system, however, further details are likely to be uncovered through excavation.
“The archaeological site where Ain Um Jurai’ is located is a vast open space which doesn’t contain many artefacts so there is an idea to turn it into a public garden, while preserving its archaeological elements,” said Dr Al Mahari.
“Just because it’s an archaeological site it shouldn’t mean that it has to be cordoned and separated from the people, especially since it’s located in a large empty plot of land where there are spaces with no likely artefacts.
“The significant archaeological elements within this site is its natural spring and its connections to an irrigation system which have been fenced and protected for further study.
“The irrigation system and channels from Ain Um Jurai’ extend around 4km based on aerial photos extending from Hamad Town to Karzakan.”
He said excavation efforts will commence once again in November with a British excavation team of experts helping to gather further details.
He added that based on findings, meetings will be held with the Northern Municipal Council and the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry to determine the feasibility of turning the location into a public garden while ensuring the spring and irrigation channels remain protected.
“There are dozens of these channels in Bahrain and most of them were either destroyed or we haven’t found them yet … so this site in Hamad Town is very significant,” said Baca archaeological heritage advisor Melanie Muenzner.
“This is a particularly well-preserved channel that is very long – around 4km – and it took water from the natural spring in Hamad Town to the fields of Karzakan.
“We don’t know the exact age of these channels but we believe it may be around 1,500 years old.
“These channels are underground with a height of around 120cm with a triangular shape at the top and a hole every 10m, we believe, for maintenance.
“For the first time, a thick layer of Bitumen – which is a black vicious mixture of hydrocarbons – was found coating the channels.
“This is quite extraordinary because Bitumen isn’t available locally so it had to be imported which reveals the wealth present during the Dilmun Era.”
She added that future plans could include turning the location into a public garden by planting trees and adding benches and making it into a social gathering place for the whole community.
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