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Sharjah Archaeology Museum Explores Bahrains Trade From The Second Millennium B.C. And The Third Century A.D. |
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Sharjah Museums Department is pleased to announce an innovative exhibition entitled, “Ancient Bahrain: The Power of Trade,” set to run at Sharjah Archaeology Museum from October 29, 2014 through March 29, 2015. The exhibition appears in partnership with The Bahrain National Museum and further marks Sharjah’s role as 2014 Capital of Islamic Culture and Manama’s celebrations as Capital of Asian Tourism. The show will bring magnificent artifacts from Bahrain National Museum's permanent collection, focusing on the Dilmun civilization and dating from Second Millennium B.C. to the Third Century A.D. It represents the continued joint efforts of Sharjah Museums Department and Bahrain’s Ministry of Culture to further enhance their cultural collaboration by creating opportunities for residents and visitors to explore Gulf Heritage and learn more about Bahrain’s rich history. Commenting upon the exhibition, Her Excellency Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain Minister of Culture, said: "Our joint exhibition in a continuation of a long history that our nations share. It was our people who turned this coast to a harbor for trade and a hub for multiple communities. The "Ancient Bahrain: The Power of Trade" will shed some light on the historic importance of Bahrain to human civilization, and the Bahraini heritage as a part of the wider gulf region. We are very happy to hold this exhibition in Sharjah, and congratulate the Emirate for its selection as Capital of Islamic Culture 2014." Manal Ataya, Director General, SMD, remarked: "The UAE and Bahrain have a tremendous amount in common as both modern day and ancient hubs of trade and civilization. This exhibition is symbolic of our longstanding friendship and shared history and will acquaint a curious UAE audience with the prosperous metropolis of Dilmun which in some ways paved the way for the diverse cultural treasure that Bahrain is today. For that reason, “Ancient Bahrain: The Power of Trade” is essential viewing for people of all ages interested in acquiring an understanding of Gulf history and commerce.” Within Sharjah Archeology Museum, the show’s exhibitions are categorized into 4 main sections: ’Dilmun and Tylos; Centuries of Commerce and Prosperity‘, ’Dilmun; the Storage of the Gulf in the Bronze and Iron Ages (2000-500 B.C.),’ ’Tylos; the Trade Routes Cross-Road (300-200 B.C.)’, and ’Beyond Trade Influence: A Rich Local Culture.’ Around 150 artifacts on display represent Dilmun and Tylos as prosperous markets on important marine trade routes. Artifacts from the Bahrain National Museum permanent collection represented include stone stamps, pottery, glassware, ivory, and Alabaster kitchen pieces, in addition to gold-work and stone. These beautifully conserved displays, dating back as early as 2050 B.C. testify to the richness of trade activity in the region and Bahrain’s important role as a trade center and site of the Dilmun civilization. The exhibition offers the rare opportunity for visitors to explore the social and cultural domains of old Bahrain, and to further understand how island’s exceptional geographic location in the heart of the old world made it a melting pot for numerous cultures. The well-preserved artifacts further demonstrate how local communities valued and cherished their local culture from the Dilmun civilization into the present day.
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