Tomb Forest

Tomb Forest

Attraction Introduction

Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf, close to the coast of Saudi Arabia, covering just 669.4 square kilometers with a population of fewer than 400,000. The main island, Bahrain Island, spans 562 square kilometers and is surrounded by 32 smaller islands.

On this small island lies the world’s largest prehistoric tomb forest, earning it the titles "Island of Ten Thousand Tombs" and "Island of the Dead." This vast sea of burial mounds occupies the northern part of Bahrain Island, west of the capital city Manama, stretching for dozens of kilometers and covering over 30 square kilometers. The artificial earthen mounds are arranged in rows and columns, forming a spectacular sight. Viewed from above, they resemble undulating waves or the tents of a massive assembled army. It wasn’t until 1879, when the British first conducted excavations, that these mounds were discovered to be tombs.

Due to the passage of time, earlier graves were buried under layers of silt, only to be covered again by subsequent burials. Layer upon layer accumulated, eventually forming hills, some reaching up to 10 meters in height — taller than a three-story building. According to incomplete statistics, there are over 170,000 tombs in total. Research on more than 70 excavated tombs indicates that the earliest date back to the Bronze Age, around 3000 BC. Beneath the tomb layers and near the tomb forest, remnants of ancient settlements and towns have been found. This suggests that Bahrain once hosted a brilliant civilization with sizable populated cities.

Ancient Bahraini tombs come in two types. Most are single-chamber tombs, relatively simple, likely used for commoners. The passageways are built with limestone, the floors are covered with fine sand, the ceilings are made of stone slabs, and the entrances face west. The remains are positioned with the head to the east and feet to the west, lying in a curved, lateral position.

Double-chamber tombs are rare and were probably reserved for higher-status individuals. These tombs resemble two-story buildings, with mound tops rising 4.6 meters above ground and diameters of about 20 meters. The main burial chamber is located at the eastern end, with side chambers, and two windows are cut into the right wall of the lower level.

Grave goods are abundant, including bones of animals such as sheep, antelope, and dogs; numerous striped pottery jars, red-glazed vases, metal spearheads and daggers; gold amulets for warding off evil, finely engraved bronze and silverware, ornaments made from ostrich eggshells, and small ivory boxes.

Two ancient city ruins lie underground. Their walls are built with foundations 4 meters thick, and most houses within are square-shaped stone structures. Temples feature wide stone gates, massive altars, and pools used for ritual purification ceremonies. These ruins are as ancient as Mohenjo-daro or Babylon from over four thousand years ago. Surface finds from later periods include Indian pottery, lapis lazuli artifacts from the Mediterranean coast, ivory goods from East Africa, as well as Chinese lamp bowls, lanterns, hand mills, and ancient coins — all evidence of the thriving trade of these ancient cities.

Bahrain itself has left no historical records, leaving its ancient past shrouded in mystery. However, ancient texts from Arab nations frequently mention a paradise-like “Dilmun Island.” Based on the birthplace of city sites and the tomb forest, Dilmun is identified as present-day Bahrain. The island’s abundant springs, lush oases, and shallow bays rich in pearl oysters attracted settlers from the mainland.

Around 3000 BC, a primitive form of state organization— the Dilmun civilization— had already emerged. Between 2795 and 2739 BC, Sumerians from Mesopotamia attempted to establish a trade route across the Persian Gulf and through the mainland to the Mediterranean, repeatedly destroying Dilmun’s capital. The civilization was interrupted, and it took a long time before cities were rebuilt. By 1518–1204 BC, an independent state was formed again. Around 1000 BC, Phoenicians from the eastern Mediterranean conquered Bahrain, turning it into a major transit trading hub in the Persian Gulf during its peak.

In the early 6th century BC, when the Neo-Babylonian Empire dominated the Near and Middle East, trade routes shifted toward the Red Sea, causing Bahrain to decline sharply. The Phoenicians left the Persian Gulf.

At the start of the Common Era, a new Arab state emerged on Bahrain Island, establishing its capital in Manama (which means “resting place” or “bedchamber” in Arabic). It later became a trade hub in the Persian Gulf. Its booming wealth drew the envy of Persians (Iranians). Between 309 and 379 AD, the Persian kingdom repeatedly attacked Bahrain’s fleets and cities. After laying siege to the island for a year, they finally landed and captured the city, nearly exterminating the Arab population. Survivors were taken as slaves. Cities were razed, wells blocked, ships burned, and trees cut down — Bahrain became a “ghost island.” After Iranian immigrants settled on the island, Bahrain was incorporated into Persia’s Fars Province, with the establishment of the town of Hagar as the governor’s seat.

In 622 AD, Arabs recaptured Bahrain, and Manama was revitalized. In 894 AD, island residents revolted and declared independence from the Arab Caliphate. In 929 AD, the Bahraini state marched toward Mecca, even seizing the sacred Black Stone from the Kaaba as war booty. Thereafter, Bahrain entered its most powerful and prosperous period in history. Between 1057 and 1058 AD, the Caliph launched a campaign against Bahrain, targeting “infidels” (non-Muslims), destroying all towns, and setting fire to orchards and palm groves. This marked the final destruction of cities like Manama. Thereafter, Bahrain remained a minor emirate, first under the suzerainty of the Sultanate of Oman, then falling under Portuguese and British colonial rule, until gaining independence in 1971.

Manama, Bahrain