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THE BAHRAIN HISTORICAL AND
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCITY

Shelby Mamdani

The Bahrain Historical and Archaeological Society was originally formed in 1953 but was
inactive from 1959 until 1970 when it was re-organized to coincide with the Third International
Conference on Asian Archaeology, held in Bahrain in March 1970. Since that time, it has been
consistently active, involved in various activities as part of its aim to encourage the study of the
history of Bahrain as well as to promote knowledge of the country’s cultural and archaeologi­
cal heritage.

The activities of the Society arc numerous; they include lectures, discussions, and visits to
archaeological sites as well as places of historical or cultural significance. In 1977, with the help
of a grant from the Ministry ofI nformation, the BHAS produced a film entitled4* Pictures ofan
Island”. In addition to this journal, Dilmun, which is published annually, a guidebook, The
Islands ofBahrain, written by Angela Clarke, was published in 1981; and an Arabic version of
this guidebook is being published shortly.

Many agencies contribute to the success of the Society’s activities, notably the Ministry of
Information and the Directorate of Antiquities and Museums. The Ministry aids the BHAS
with most of its publications, especially Dilmun, and since 1980, has given the Society its own
premises in Juffair. Lectures and other special events arc held in the main hall of these
premises; and the library, which contains one of the best collection of works on Bahrain’s
archaeology and history, certainly in Bahrain and probably elsewhere, is open to members and
visitors before meetings and by arrangement.

The Society has around 200 members, both local, throughout the Gulf, and overseas,
including several University libraries. Anyone wishing to apply for membership is invited to
write to the Membership Secretary, BHAS, PO Box 5087, Manama, Bahrain. Subscriptions
per annum are: family BD 6/000, single BD 4/000, and student BD 2/000. The BHAS season
runs from October 1st until June 1st.

The BHAS Executive Committee for 1984-85 is:

Shaikh Isa bin Mohammed A1 Khalifa, President -
Dr. Mohammed A1 Khozai, Vice-President
Shelby Mamdani, Hon. Secretary
Norbert Papali, Treasurer
Robert Jarman, Librarian
Barbara Pope, Assistant Secretary
Dr. Abdul Latif Kanoo
Dr. Ali Aba Hussein
Khalid A1 Zayani

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