A British archaeologist has been named in King Charles’ New Year honours list for his work in Bahrain over two decades.
Professor Timothy Insoll has been awarded Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to archaeology in the kingdom and UK-Bahrain relations.
Mr Insoll is an expert in the archaeology of rituals and religions with particular specialism in sub-Saharan Africa, the Arabian Gulf and Arabian Peninsula.
He is Al Qasimi Professor of African and Islamic Archaeology and founder and director of the Exeter University’s Centre for Islamic Archaeology in the world-leading Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies.
“I am delighted to be honoured in this way which I also see as recognition for all the effort of my friends and colleagues who have worked with me in Bahrain,” said Prof Insoll.
His research team, including colleagues from Bahrain, uncovered one of the earliest Christian buildings (in Samaheej) in the Arabian Gulf in Bahrain in 2019 – the first physical evidence of a long-lost community there who were followers of the Church of the East, sometimes also called the Nestorian Church.
A museum is now being developed which will open in 2026 at the archaeological site which had been occupied between the mid-4th and mid-8th centuries CE, as confirmed by radiocarbon dating.
The building was likely later abandoned as Islam spread among the local population.
The GDN reported last year that the findings suggest that the building may have been the residence of the bishop of the diocese, which included Samaheej.
Historical sources refer to this area as ‘Mishmahig’ or ‘Mashmahig’, likely variations of ‘Samaheej’.
Records also indicate a connection between the region and central church authorities, with one bishop dismissed in 410 CE and another condemned for challenging church unity in the mid-7th century.
Recent findings include a clear Eastern cross on a plaster slab and notably, in the past, the teams discovered three plaster crosses, two adorning the building’s exterior and one possibly kept as a personal memento, along with wall carvings featuring a fish symbol and part of the ‘Chi Rho’ symbol representing the word ‘Christ’.
Mr Insoll’s major specialism is in Islamic archaeology and heritage, and in addition to Bahrain he has led research projects in Mali, Ghana, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia, and completed other field and museum-based projects in Eritrea, India, Spain, Pemba Island and Uganda.
He has been an adviser to the British Museum, Manchester Museum, and other museums and organisations in the UK, Europe and the US.
“I would like to congratulate Prof Insoll on this richly deserved honour, which recognises his meticulous work to trace the history of the Arabian Gulf and build relations between the UK and Bahrain,” said the university’s president and vice-chancellor Prof Lisa Roberts.
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