Dilmun decoded
Manama : The names and details of two ancient Kings from the Dilmun civilisation have been revealed. This was based on studies on an artefact found from the Aali archaeological site three years ago, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) announced yesterday.
Studies revealed that the rulers of the A’ali dynasty carried the title of “The Servant of Inzak of Agarum,” BACA officials said during a press conference yesterday at the Bahrain National Museum.
King Yagli-El, whose name means “The God Has Shown Himself,” was last ruler of the A’ali dynasty. He died sometime between 1738 BC and 1674 BC.
King Rimum, whose name means “The Lofty,” was the father of Yagli-El. Both the names are of Amorite origin. They both lived during a period when the power and influence of the Dilmun civilisation was at its peak.
“This discovery is of great significance because now we can confidently place the Dilmun culture in the family of all these large sophisticated Kingdoms with Amorite leadership that existed in the 2nd millennium in the Middle East,” said Dr. Steffen Terp Laursen, a senior member of the research team.
“The fact that we could establish that he was of Amorite ancestry and that his father was King Rimum was another important discovery,” he said, adding that “the main palaces of these rulers are probably buried underneath the Portuguese fort here.”
“The artefact could have been manufactured locally or imported as precious vessels; and then inscriptions were added by the scribes in the royal palace,” he added.
Experts also point towards an Omani connection to the origin of the artefact. Earlier discoveries revealed Dilmun’s trade ties with Oman’s ancient site of Elam. Dilmun merchants were said to have monopoly in copper trade, a precious commodity that was shipped from the mines of Oman to Mesopotamian cities.
The discovery further proves the Dilmun civilization’s sophistication, Dr. Laursen pointed out.
“With this find, the Kingdom can now take its ancient history to around 1700 BC. The discovery cements the impression that the Dilmun civilisation was a highly advanced Kingdom with a sophisticated culture. The discovery marks a milestone in the exploration in Bahrain’s ancient history,” he said.
Dr. Laursen expressed his excitement, saying the discovery has made Bahrain’s ancient history even more compelling to explore.
BACA President Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa speaks at the press conference
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