Exploring Bahrain's Unesco World Heritage Sites

Bahrain is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each offering a glimpse into the country's rich cultural history. From ancient forts to burial mounds and pearling trails, these sites showcase the diverse civilizations that have influenced Bahrain over the centuries. With a unique liberal cultural heritage and a dedication to supporting the World Heritage Convention, Bahrain has established itself as a country with a fascinating past and a strong commitment to preservation.

Qal’at al-Bahrain, also known as Bahrain Fort

Qalat al-Bahrain, also known as Bahrain Fort, is an archaeological site located on Bahrain Island, on the northern seashore. It is Bahrain's "most important site in antiquity" and the country's most famous archaeological site. The fort stands near Manama, the capital of Bahrain, just 6km or 4 miles away on the fertile north coast.

Qalat al-Bahrain was built on an artificial mound or tell, created by various occupants from 2300 BC up to the 18th century, including the Kassites, Greeks, Portuguese and Persians. The mound, which is 12m (39 ft) high, has seven stratified layers, and covers an area of 180,000 sq ft (16,723 m2). The site has been occupied for about 5000 years, and contains valuable insights into the Copper and Bronze Ages of Bahrain. The first Bahrain Fort was built around three thousand years ago on the northeastern peak of Bahrain Island, with the present fort dating from the 6th century AD.

The site was once the capital of the Dilmun civilisation, which, according to the Epic of Gilgamesh, was the 'land of immortality' and a meeting point for the gods. As the capital, it contains the richest remains of this ancient civilisation, which were previously only known from written Sumerian references. The Dilmun civilisation was also believed to be the ancestral place of the Sumerians.

Excavations at the site have revealed structures of different types: residential, public, commercial, religious and military. These testify to the site's importance as a trading port over the centuries. On top of the mound sits the impressive Qal`at al-Burtughal (Portuguese fort), which gave the whole site its name, as 'qal`a' means 'fort' in Arabic. The fort is a melting pot of two distinct styles of military architecture, with the Portuguese fort built on top of the Arabic fort.

Qalat al-Bahrain was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, becoming Bahrain's first cultural heritage site. Only about 25% of the site has been excavated so far, with more wonders still to be explored.

Bahrain Pearling Trail, a 3.5km trail on Muharraq Island

The Bahrain Pearling Trail is a 3.5-kilometre trail on Muharraq Island, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. The island, located in the northern region of Bahrain, has long been a centre of religious activity and tradition. However, it is most famous for being the most prominent site for harvesting sea pearls from oyster beds. This trade was so influential that it shaped the island's economy for centuries, until the early 20th century.

The pearling trail includes three oyster beds, which are still harvested today, as well as 17 buildings that are remnants of the past. The path also features fortresses and a coastline. The Qal'at Bu Mahir fortress and the southern seashore of Muharraq Island are also part of the heritage site.

The history of pearling in Bahrain dates back millennia. Archaeologists estimate that the Bahrain Pearling Trail was in use as early as 2000 BCE. Pearling used to be a cultural tradition in Bahrain, and Muharraq Island is a testament to this ancient practice. Visitors can even take a boat ride into the waters where, for centuries, divers nurtured a nation's economy with their pearl harvests.

The Bahrain Pearling Trail is protected by several provisions of Bahrain's Ministry of Culture. A Steering Committee and a dedicated Administrative Unit oversee the upkeep of the site. The island's status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site ensures that its cultural and historical significance is recognised and preserved for future generations.

Dilmun Burial Mounds, built between 2050 and 1750 BCE

The Dilmun Burial Mounds, located in Bahrain, were recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. This serial property is made up of 21 archaeological sites in the western region of Bahrain, with six of these sites being burial mound fields. Together, they comprise about 11,774 burial mounds. The remaining 15 sites consist of 13 single royal mounds and two pairs of royal mounds, all of which are embedded in the urban fabric of A'ali village.

The Dilmun Burial Mounds were constructed during the Early Dilmun Period, spanning approximately 300 years from 2050 to 1750 BCE. They stand as a testament to the flourishing Early Dilmun civilisation of the 2nd millennium BCE. During this period, Bahrain rose to international prominence as a trade hub, leading to population growth and increased social complexity. This social complexity is evident in the extensive necropolises, which feature a variety of graves, including burial mounds of varying sizes, chieftain mounds, and the most impressive structures, the royal mounds.

Archaeological evidence reveals that the burial sites were not initially constructed as mounds but rather as cylindrical low towers. The royal mounds, distinguished by their substantial sizes and intricate burial chambers, were designed as two-storey sepulchral towers, forming a ziggurat-like shape. The Dilmun Burial Mounds are globally unique, not only for their numbers, density, and scale but also for their construction typology and details, such as the inclusion of alcove-equipped burial chambers.

The recognition of the Dilmun Burial Mounds as a UNESCO World Heritage Site highlights the significance of this ancient burial culture and its contribution to our understanding of Bahrain's rich historical and cultural heritage. These burial mounds provide valuable insights into the societal structure, beliefs, and funeral practices of the Early Dilmun Period, adding a layer of depth to our knowledge of Bahrain's past.

Muharraq Island, Qal’at Bu Mahir Fortress

The Qal’at Bu Mahir Fortress, situated on the southern tip of Muharraq Island, is an integral part of Bahrain's history and was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. The earliest depiction of the fortress is on a Portuguese map dating back to 1635. It was originally a formidable four-towered fort with massive defensive walls, dominating the Bu Mahir Seashore. The fortress played a crucial role in defending the nearby Muharraq settlement and protecting the pearling fleet and basin between Muharraq and the main island of Bahrain from pirates and other aggressors in the Arabian Gulf.

The Qal’at Bu Mahir Fortress also served as a sister fort to the Arad Fort, safeguarding the passageway of Muharraq Bay. This defensive role ended in 1868 when British Naval forces intervened during the Qatari-Bahraini War, destroying large parts of the fort. Despite this, the fortress remained important for the pearling society, especially during festivals marking the departure and arrival of the pearling fleet.

Today, only the southern tower and its attached defensive wing remain, with the rest of the fortress visible through excavated archaeological remains. The Qal’at Bu Mahir Fortress is closely tied to Bahrain's national heritage due to the many historical events that occurred within its walls or in its vicinity. The site is now protected and partially restored, offering visitors a glimpse into Bahrain's rich pearling history and its impact on the nation's economy and cultural identity.

Muharraq Island itself holds religious significance and has long been a centre of religious activity and tradition. The pearling sites, which include three oyster beds and 17 buildings, showcase the island's prominent role in the pearling industry, which shaped its economy for centuries. The architectural remains, including residences, shops, storehouses, and a mosque, reflect the social and economic structures associated with the pearling society, bearing witness to the industry's cultural and historical significance.

Pearling tradition and history

The island of Muharraq in Bahrain was the Arabian Gulf's pearling capital for centuries. It was the most active and prosperous pearling city in the region, with the largest number of pearl divers and the largest fleet of pearling vessels. Virtually everyone in Muharraq was directly involved in pearling activities or its supply industries.

The oyster beds in the northern waters of Bahrain were the centre of a natural pearl fishery that dominated the Arabian Gulf from at least the 3rd century BC until the early 20th century. The pearling economy reached its peak in 1911-1912, when pearls were more precious than diamonds. However, a series of events, including wars, price crashes, the arrival of cheap cultured pearls, and the Wall Street crash, led to the decline and eventual collapse of the industry by 1950.

The pearling trade was so influential that it shaped the economy of the island for centuries, until the initial decades of the 20th century. In 1877, pearl exports contributed to three-quarters of Bahrain's total exports, with most destined for Bombay, Persia, and Turkey. By 1904-1905, an estimated 97.3% of the Gulf's turnover in pearls was traded through Bahrain, with Europe emerging as a major direct market. The value of Bahrain's pearl exports increased sixfold between 1900 and 1912, attracting leading jewellers such as Jacques Cartier to the country.

The pearling economy and its associated trades were a community-wide endeavour, with various professions serving the industry, including merchants, divers, dhow captains, boat builders, timber merchants, and general goods suppliers. The spatial and architectural testimony of the pearling economy in Muharraq and the northern waters of Bahrain is a unique example that represents the cultural tradition of pearling.

In 2012, "Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy" became Bahrain's second World Heritage Site, celebrating the area's millennia-old pearl-collecting tradition and the globally significant single-product island economy it produced. The UNESCO World Heritage site, known as the "Pearling Path", consists of three oyster beds, a segment of the southern tip of Muharraq's coast, the seafront Bu Mahir Fort, and 17 historical structures in Muharraq connected by a 3.5 km visitor pathway.

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