Page 9 - DILMUN NO 17

PREFACE

This Bibliography of Bahrain Archaeology documents more than a century of
descriptive reports, articles, and books referencing Bahrain's ancient and recent
archaeological past. The bibliography of nearly 700 items identifies for the first
time as many published and unpublished papers, articles, monographs, and
books as possible, and lists sources for unpublished papers. Unpublished
papers are not commonly included in biographies, however they are included
here as they represent important documents for scholars working in the area of
Bahrain and Gulf archaeology, and for future comparative analysis and
interpretation which goes beyond fieldwork. This reference covers a wide range
of materials and aims to be as comprehensive as possible regarding
archaeological activity in Bahrain, and archaeological work in nearby areas
where mention and/or comparision is made with archaeology conducted in
Bahrain.

The earliest writings from Ur, Mesopotamian sacred texts as well as economic
documents, have identified "Dilmun" as Bahrain. Bahrain's significance as an
earlier trading center, the high concentration of burial mounds, and a number
of other significant sites, have attracted archaeologists to Bahrain for many
years. The first archaeological work in the Arabian Gulf was in Bahrain and
undertaken by Capt. E.L. Durand in 1879 as recounted in his "Extracts from
the Report on the Islands and Antiquities of Bahrain". The first long-term
committment to Bahrain Archaeology began with the work of the Danish
archaeological mission leaders P.V. Globb and T.G. Bibby in 1953.

There has been a noticeable increase in archaeological activity in Bahrain
during the past 40 years by various multi-national teams along with
archaeologists from Bahrain's Ministry of Information. The accumulated
discoveries, and the recent increase in analytical fieldwork in Bahrain have
contributed to a reinterpretation of the influences of extensive contacts, and
trade on Bahrain's material culture, and thereby contributing to its unique role
in the ancient Near East.

The current economic and demographic pressures to develop the land upon
which Bahrain's richest archaeological sites are located have provided more
incentive to promote archaeological activities to record Bahrain's past before it
disappears. The increase in archaeological activity in Bahrain and the Gulf
region has been met by an equal response in published materials, although
these activities have been documented in a variety of languages due to the
diverse multi-national nature of many of the archaeological teams working in
Bahrain.