Early Dilmun Burial Mounds in Bahrain: the Wâdî al-Sail Archaeological Project and the Dilmun Mapping Project

Archaeological research on Early Dilmun burial mounds in Bahrain, spanning over 100 years, reveals significant insights into the mortuary practices and social organization of a complex society that emerged on the island. Excavations, particularly those led by the Wâdî al-Sail Archaeological Project under Masashi Abe, have shed light on previously poorly understood burial practices from the Early phase of the Early Dilmun period. Additionally, the Dilmun Mapping Project, directed by Akinori Uesugi, focuses on the distribution patterns of these mounds and their role in forming extensive cemeteries. These projects collectively provide crucial clues about the origins of Dilmun, offering a deeper understanding of its social structures and cultural evolution.

Abe, M., & Uesugi, A. (2024). Early Dilmun Burial Mounds in Bahrain: the Wâdî al-Sail Archaeological Project and the Dilmun Mapping Project. Arabian Humanities, 19. https://doi.org/10.4000/1243l