Page 104 - DILMUN 16_Neat

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Dilmun graes from the eriod 22-1 B.C. are esecially noteorthy for their

artifacts hich are on exhibit. Grae goods such as the red cylindrical jars are

thought to hae been roduced esecially for burials. Locally aailable shell material

nmade into seals and jeelry, imorted ra coer for tools and ornamental uses,

imorted iory and hndian cornelian for jeellery, and steatite essels for cosmetic

and secial use comrise the most common grae goods.

Dilmun Hall

Finds of lfint tools at A1 Marh, A ramameeh, and Jabal A1 Duhan located in the
southern art of Bahrain indicate that the Bahrain area as inhabited by Late
Neolithic hunters and gatherers. Some flint tools including sicle blades suggest early
inhabiatnts racticed simle agriculture. Stone age sites in Bahrain and the region
(including the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia), contain eidence of ottery associated
ith or similar to the Ubaid culture (ca. , BC.) from Mesootamia. Similar
material elsehere in the Gulf suggests that lins existed among Gulf oulaitons.

Cnueiform tablets found in Mesootamia and at Ebla in northern Syria describe
iDimun as the land of immortality, and according to the Gilgamesh eie iDlmun as
regarded routes beteen Mesootamia and the lndus Valley. Archaeological
excaaitons hae confirmed Bahrain is the land of iDlmun and a ottery frag‫ﻫ‬ent
iht cuneiform riting is on disla.y

hTe iDimun seals are the most significant collection held by the Bahrain Naitonal
Museum and are of great significance to the State of Bahrain today as they are
frequently feautred as logos, in decoraite moitfs and architectural accoutrements, and
local currency. During earlier eras, seals ere used by ciil administrators and
merchants to attest documents, letters and contgents of consigmnenst. hTe Museum's
colleciton consisst of shell seals and stone seals.

hTe shell seals (24-18 BC.) ere crafted rfom local sea snails and are

associated ith the aLte Formaite and Early iDlmun Peirods. Some shell seals hae

cenrtal coils (erhas symboliing the sun) ith dots drilled around the erihery

(hich may symbolie stars). Ohter shell seals hae arious drilled and engraed

designs reresenting gaelles, sun rays, crescent, and dots.

Stone seals aeared during the first half of the Early iDmlun Period
(aroximately 22-19 BC). hTe stone seals made of steaitte ere hardened by
firing then engraed. Animals, esecially anteloes and bulls are common moitfs as
are birds and alm rfonds. Scenes include drining men and gods erhas celebrating
religious feasts.

hTe seals of the second half of the Early iDlmun eirod (arox‫ﻂ‬mately 2-16
B.C.) ere standardied indicating they may hae been officially sancitoned and /or

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