A new initiative aims to shed light on Bahrain’s underwater cultural heritage by locating and studying archaeological remains hidden beneath the sea.
The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) has launched the project in association with the Survey and Land Registration Bureau (SLRB) and the Institute of Cultural Property Research at Teikyo University in Japan, marking a significant milestone for archaeological research in Bahrain.
The project will use advanced technologies to map, document and analyse historic shipwrecks in Bahraini waters, offering fresh insights into the kingdom’s maritime legacy.
It will also highlight the enduring relationship between the people of Bahrain and the sea, a defining geographical feature that has shaped the kingdom’s identity and cultural heritage.
Baca president Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa reaffirmed the importance of co-operation with government entities and cultural institutions that share commitments relating to heritage preservation.
“Such partnerships enhance opportunities to uncover Bahrain’s historical legacy while opening new horizons for archaeological research and documentation,” he said.
“This collaboration extends beyond archaeological fieldwork. It provides an effective platform for exploring Bahrain’s maritime culture by integrating advanced technology with archaeological research.”
Underwater archaeology is a specialised branch dedicated to the study of submerged cultural heritage, including historic shipwrecks, submerged ports and coastal settlements. It employs techniques including scientific diving, hydrographic surveying and geophysical surveys to locate archaeological sites, conduct excavations, and digitally document them, contributing to their preservation and advancing our understanding of humanity’s long-standing relationship with the sea.
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), underwater cultural heritage comprises all traces of human existence of a cultural, historical or archaeological character that have remained partially or totally submerged for at least 100 years. It represents a rich and diverse record of past civilisations and underscores the importance of safeguarding them for future generations.
SLRB director-general of survey Naji Sabt expressed pride in having the opportunity to contribute to this national project.
“It reflects the integration of government efforts to protect and document Bahrain’s maritime heritage using advanced scientific and technical approaches,” said Mr Sabt.
“This collaboration reveals the continued commitment of SLRB president Basem Al Hamar to strengthening co-operation among national institutions, making the best use of national expertise, preserving Bahrain’s cultural heritage, and reinforcing sovereignty over the kingdom’s marine spatial information.
“The bureau’s expertise in hydrographic surveying, geophysical surveys, sonar systems and high-precision positioning technologies, together with the deployment of its research vessel Survey 2050, equipped with state-of-the-art marine survey systems, will support underwater archaeological investigations.”
Mr Sabt expressed the bureau’s aspiration to expand co-operation through regular survey programmes, data sharing and joint training initiatives to ensure the long-term protection and sustainability of newly identified archaeological sites.
Baca director general of antiquities Dr Salman Al Mahari said the initiative represents a major step forward for the kingdom’s archaeological exploration.
“We are utilising some of the most advanced equipment and technology supplied by the SLRB,” he said. “The ship (Survey 2050) is equipped with precise modern technology, including artificial intelligence, which will allow us to get better and more accurate results over large areas.”
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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