By REBECCA TORR
MANAMA - Sunday 15 July 2007
HIDDEN treasures and knowledge about the
Dilmun civilisation could be uncovered when archaeological divers explore the sea surrounding Bahrain Fort early next year.
It will be the first time a survey of the sea has been conducted in
Bahrain and heritage experts hope it will shed new light on the 4,000-year-old site. Bahrain Fort, also known as Qal'at Al Bahrain, gained World Heritage Site status in July 2005.
It was recognised not because of the Portuguese fort that now stands on the site, but because of what lies underneath the area believed to have been the capital of the ancient Dilmun civilisation. Historians believe that site was chosen because of its fresh water supply, green vegetation and picturesque setting.
"We don't expect to see anything visible because the sea has reclaimed most part," said Information Ministry Culture and National Heritage Sector heritage management and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation affairs counsellor Britta Rudolff.
"Due to reclamation, a lot of sand gathered, so what was there 40 years ago is now covered." "We will need to use ultrasound or other technologies to know if there is anything underground."
"We will carry out a survey to see if there is any archaeological evidence. When we have certain evidence there might be something, we can collect samples and send a team to excavate." Ms Rudolff said authorities were particularly keen to find out more about the trading activities that took place during the Dilmun era.
Ships were only able to access the harbour through a four to five metre gap, where the sea is deeper and there is a break in the coral reef. To help navigation through this gap, a tower was built at the breakthrough point and two-metres of the structure can still be seen today, she added.
Ms Rudolff said while she was not expecting to see shipwrecks from the time of Dilmun, there could be remains of goods that were kept in metal chests or boxes.
She said ceramic items could be among the items found at the site, especially because recent porcelain findings at the fort showed there was a lot of trading with China. "We are looking forward to invite underwater archaeologists to survey the channels in this area because there may be a lot of goods and things to be found there," she told the GDN.
"We want to gain more information on the shipping activities and kinds of goods that were found at the ancient time," she added.
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