Bahrain Heritage Tour” Offers Unique Digital Exploration of Dilmun and Tylos Civilizations

The “Bahrain Heritage Tour” expands on the exhibit “From Dilmun to Tylos: An Archaeological Journey in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” currently on display at the Louvre Museum. By integrating digital technology, the tour seeks to bring the artifacts and archaeological findings closer to the Bahraini public. The project will be overseen by Mr. Julien Cuny, Head of the French archaeological mission in Bahrain, and will travel across Bahrain’s governorates, making stops at public and private schools, universities, and cultural sites.

Interactive Experience Showcases Ancient Artefacts

Visitors will be able to engage with Bahrain’s ancient history via tablets equipped with a customised application that showcases key artefacts loaned by the Bahrain National Museum to the Louvre. These include pottery jars, cuneiform tablets, Dilmun seals, and statues, each offering a glimpse into the social and cultural life of Bahrain’s past inhabitants. The digital experience is enriched with scientific and archaeological data, provided in collaboration with the French archaeological mission and specialists from the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities.

The two-week tour aims to revive Bahrain’s ancient civilisations by introducing visitors to the significant role of archaeological research in documenting and preserving the country’s historical legacy. In particular, the focus will be on key elements of Bahraini heritage, including the famous Dilmun burial mounds located in A'ali, highlighting the importance of site preservation and fostering a deeper sense of national identity.

Promoting Cultural Tourism and Academic Exchange

Aligned with Bahrain’s vision to promote cultural tourism and preserve its heritage, the project also provides opportunities for academic collaboration. A group of students from the University of Bahrain will participate in the tour, with plans for an academic exchange program in France at the end of the project. This exchange will allow students to train in heritage and archaeological research, furthering their studies in the field.

Key Partners and Supporters

The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities has extended its thanks to the Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) for its generous support of the project, as well as the Louvre Museum, which provided scientific assistance. Additional partners include the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage, the Observatory of Heritage in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, and the École du Louvre. The digital experience application was developed by Femme Fatale Studio, and the artefacts were photographed by Iconem.

This immersive digital tour offers the Bahraini public an extraordinary opportunity to connect with their heritage, ensuring that the story of Bahrain’s ancient civilizations is passed down through innovative and modern means.