A scientific study published in the Journal of Near Eastern Studies has revealed new insights into the administrative and political structure of the Dilmun civilisation, based on an analysis of three inscribed clay tokens discovered during archaeological excavations at sites in Bahrain.
The excavations were carried out by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) in collaboration with a team of international experts led by Dr Steffen Terp Laursen, a specialist in Dilmun civilisation.
The findings have resulted in a significant archaeological discovery for the Arabian Gulf region.
On this occasion, Baca President Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa stated that the study’s findings further underscore Bahrain’s significance as the homeland of the Dilmun civilisation and one of the region’s most significant archaeological centres.
He noted that Bahrain’s archaeological sites continue to yield discoveries that deepen understanding of the region’s history and highlighted the importance of preserving archaeological heritage, supporting scientific research, and strengthening co-operation between Bahraini institutions, international archaeological missions, and universities.
Such discoveries, he added, contribute new insights into the history of Dilmun, a civilisation that served as a cultural and commercial link between Mesopotamia, the Arabian Gulf, and the wider ancient world.
The study contributes to a broader understanding of Dilmun’s history and reinforces the understanding of Dilmun as a centrally governed civilisation with an independent political and administrative system that played a key role in connecting the Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, and Magan through trade networks.
Dr Steffen Terp Laursen, Dilmun specialist at Al Ain Museum, commented on the scientific significance of the discovery: “Holding an object sealed with the personal seal of Yagli-El, likely used during his youth as Crown Prince, offers a direct connection to the mechanisms of power in the Bronze Age. These inscriptions reveal a ruler whose authority was grounded in specific religious patronage, while his administrative influence extended across Bahrain’s political and ritual landscape”.
The study focused on analysing the royal titles appearing on the seals, where the name of King Yagli-El was associated with the title “Servant of Panipa”.
This finding is particularly significant when compared with inscriptions previously discovered in the Royal Burial Mounds of A’ali, where he was identified as “Servant of Inzak”.
The research also re-examined the geographical distribution of Dilmun religion, demonstrating that the worship of Panipa, consort of Inzak, was a central element of religious life in Qal’at Al Bahrain and ritual sites such as Al Maqsha, rather than being confined to Failaka Island as previously suggested in earlier studies.
This connection suggests a cohesive religious and political system linking different parts of the kingdom.
The study also aligns with the growing international recognition of Bahrain’s archaeological heritage, particularly following the inscription of the Yagli-El inscriptions on Unesco’s Memory of the World Register in 2025.
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