Ancient artefacts from Bahrain were showcased at the opening of the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi – the largest loan to a museum in another country in recent times.
Belonging to the Dilmun and Tylos periods, the 19 artefacts included pottery, copper, coins and glassware, carefully selected to represent Bahrain’s rich heritage within the Abu Dhabi museum’s galleries.
Among the loaned items are steatite vessels, Dilmun seals, locally-minted Greek silver tetradrachm coins, as well as glass vessels dating to the Tylos period.
The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) participated in the museum’s official opening, as part of an ongoing cultural collaboration with the UAE.
Representing Bahrain at the opening ceremony were Baca director general of antiquities Dr Salman Al Mahari and museums director Haya Al Sada.
“Bahrain’s participation in the UAE museum’s opening reinforce the role of museums in preserving heritage, documenting regional history and making it accessible to global audiences,” Baca president Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa added.
Earlier this year, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Baca and the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism to enhance cultural and museological co-ordination.
The GDN earlier reported that the parties agreed to develop a series of exchange programmes and organise joint exhibitions ‘to preserve and promote the collective culture of the Arabian Gulf region’.
The accord also provides a framework to improve the skills of museum curators and staff, and introduce targeted groups to the exhibits of the two museums through a range of events, seminars and lectures.
The two sides further agreed to invite museum professionals from both sides to conduct historical and scientific research, exchange exhibits and provide mutual training programmes for staff in conservation, preventive care and visitor services.
They will also offer mutual consulting services in various fields related to museum science and management.
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