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The excavators state that over 200 burials of this type were uncovered,
however; in their published tables only 42 graves are reported upon
(Ibrahim 1982: Table V).

32 single burials
2 multiple burials
8 with no burials (4 contain artifacts/ccramics)
23.5% burials contain no human remains
15 burials contain no artifacts/ceramics
46.8% contain no artifacts/ceramics

Mackay (1929)

34 burials mounds excavated
13 burials mounds without human burials
38.2% burial mounds without human remains

Cornwall (1943)

30 burial mounds excavated
12 burial mounds without human remains
40% burial mounds without human remains

Commentary

From a study of Ibrahim’s (1983) published tables several distinctive features can be
pointed out that arc of significance.

1. The greatest number of internments are single burials. In fact, only 5 interments within the
155 mounds and 200 burials ofthe “Burial Complex” contained multiple burials, and these
multiple burials never exceeded 4 dead. Type III, identified as having a central burial area
with subsidiary burials around the outer ringwall, in fact contained not a single subsidiary
burial!

2. In the aggregate 17.4% of the burial mounds contained no human burials. Type III, which
appears to be the most labour intensive construction, has 39.5% of the burial mounds
without human burials!

3. A total of 21.2% of the burials contain no artifacts. At times artifacts are placed in tombs
which lack human burials, and conversely, human burials are often interred without
artifacts.

4. The presence of both adults and children are noted in the tombs. The former appear to
numerically dominate; however, tomb S267.3 a Type IV burial mound, isone of the richest
in terms of material remains and is reported to be a child. It has been assumed that the
recovery of wealthy child burials indicates that status is ascribed at birth, not achieved
during life (Shennan 1975). This hypothesis, although suggestive for the mound burials on
Bahrain, requires further research.

5. The burials on Bahrain do not contain the wealth of material culture evident in the tombs of
Kish (Mackay 1925; Moorey 1978); Xabis: Shahdad (Hakem: 1972) or Ur (WooUey
1934), to mention only 3 third millennium cemeteries. The ceramic types found in the
burials on Bahrain, some said to be produced for specific funerary purposes (Ibrahim

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