An ancient Tylos-period skeleton has been found in a repurposed Dilmun-period grave during excavations in the Janabiya Archaeological Site, archaeologists revealed.
Studies conducted on the burial showed that the bones belonged to a woman aged between 30 and 50, showing a healed fracture, early signs of arthritis, and evidence of illness during childhood.
The well-preserved skeleton was laid on top of a Dilmun-era skeleton, which was mostly decomposed, with the bones overlapping.
A video of three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the grave was posted by Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities director general of antiquities Dr Salman Al Mahari on social media, and was shared by other accounts.
“The Bahrain team is currently conducting excavations in the Janabiya Burial Mound Field, which contains several royal tombs,” Dr Al Mahari told the GDN. “In this grave, crumbling remains of a skeleton from the Dilmun era were found. Very little was recovered, and what remained was severely damaged.
“A Tylos skeleton was also found inside. That means that this grave, originally from the Dilmun period, was re-used in the Tylos period. The re-use of graves was not common, but it was practised sometimes. Burials were repurposed after 1,000 to 2,000 years in some cases.”
The Tylos Period in Bahrain refers to the Hellenistic era, between 3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE, where the island was a major trade hub, characterised by unique pottery and cultural fusion with Greek influences.
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Dr Al Mahari stated that the anthropological study was carried out in a Bahrain National Museum lab by bioarchaeologist Dr Caitlin Smith from Auckland University.
According to the informational video, based on Dr Smith’s research, the Tylos woman had a fracture in the middle of her humerus – the bone of her upper arm – which appeared to be actively healing.
The injury may have taken place six weeks to three months before her death, which was could be the result of a bad fall or a direct blow. New bone tissue had already grown substantially, with no evidence of infections or improper healing.
Archaeologists also found bone spurs in the woman’s lower spine, which could have developed due to aging or joint inflammation.
No gums diseases were apparent, but stress in her teeth reportedly showed that she suffered from health issues between the ages of four and five, and went through two periods of acute illness in her childhood.
Dr Al Mahari said that the 3D scan was created simply through a mobile app.
Further research, like DNA sequencing, could be conducted on the remains, he added, but it has not yet been determined if there is recoverable genetic material in the bones in the first place.
Excavations continue in the Janabiya Burial Mound Field. The small field, tucked away between houses in quiet Janabiya, contains five large, chieftain mounds, which constitute the transition phase between the burial mounds of the populace and the royal mounds.
Dated at between 2200 to 1750 BCE, the early Dilmun tombs feature two-tiered chambers where the dead were buried above ground in the foetal position with a small alcove containing offerings, usually pottery.
The Dilmun Burial Mounds, covering 21 sites and 20km across Bahrain, were added to the Unesco World Heritage List in 2019. Sites are located in Hamad Town, including Buri, Karzakan, Dar Kulaib, and the chieftain burial mounds in Janabiya and A’ali.
The GDN reported in February that a 4,000-year-old tower, which was once used to defend the capital of the ancient Dilmun civilisation was unearthed by the Danish archaeological mission in Bahrain.
The site, located in a private farm bordering the Bahrain Fort, was originally discovered when archaeologists from Moesgaard Museum decided to investigate further.
At least three layers, belonging to three distinct eras, were found.
In the layers above the 4,000-year-old tower was another three-metre-tall tower, with a wide base measuring 10×10 metres.
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