A royal tomb unearthed at the A’Ali West Burial Mounds in Bahrain could be the oldest one of its kind found from the Dilmun civilisation, according to Japanese archaeologists.
The tomb, measuring approximately four metres long and one metre wide, was unearthed by the Japanese Archaeological Mission during the recently concluded season, and findings are set to be showcased at a conference this weekend.
According to a TV news report by Japanese state broadcaster NHK, this is the oldest royal tomb of the Dilmun civilisation.
The tomb has stones stacked in an H-shape at the centre as well as a 60cm wide passage leading from the outside to the centre of the tomb.
Inside the tomb, archaeologists found several bones including a femur thought to belong to a buried king as well as ‘a large number’ of grave goods, including pottery, shells and fragments of bronze objects.
According to head of the Japanese mission Dr Masashi Abe, who works for the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties in Tokyo, the team is analysing the DNA of the bones.
He noted that even though more than 75 years have passed since the initial excavation at the site, many mysteries still remain about the Dilmun civilisation.
“With DNA analysis, we will be able to know the details, like the skin, eye and hair colour of the king of Dilmun at that time and where those people came from,” he added. “We believe this is a very important discovery.”
In February, the GDN reported that the Japanese team had highlighted some of its discoveries at the A’ali West Burial Mound Field during an open day event for the public.
Archaeologists from the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties had showcased the latest findings from their second season working at the Early Dilmun period site.
Dr Abe had explained the artefacts uncovered across the field, which contains more than 700 burial mounds dating back to the Early Dilmun period.
Earlier in February, another team of Japanese archaeologists held an open day at the Maqaba Burial Mound No 1, dating to the Tylos era, where an iron dagger and sickle were unearthed. According to Nara Archaeological Mission leader Dr Kiyohide Saito, the mysterious short sword was the first weapon to be discovered in a Tylos burial.
However, just weeks after the teams finished their excavation, the US-Iran conflict began and Iranian attacks on the kingdom cast a shadow on the team’s work.
“Bahraini students helped our excavations as volunteers but one of them lived very close to the US Navy base in Bahrain,” Dr Abe explained.
“So after the attack, he evacuated to another location. I’m really worried about him.”
Dr Abe emphasised the importance of preserving rich archaeological sites and cultural heritage in the Middle East.
“Cultural heritage is very important,” he added.
“It connects people to their homeland.
“Even during the post-conflict reconstruction process, cultural heritage can encourage people.”
Dr Abe’s team is back in Tokyo and will share their findings at a conference on Saturday.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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