Heritage erasure and heritage transformation: how heritage is created by destruction in Bahrain

Heritage erasure can lead to heritage transformation, as demonstrated by the case of Bahrain's Dilmun Burial Mounds. The study reveals that the destruction of these ancient burial sites due to modern development has paradoxically elevated them to significant national heritage status in Bahrain. This finding challenges conventional notions of heritage preservation and highlights the dynamic processes through which heritage is created and redefined. The research employs a comparative approach, analyzing three distinct cases: the Dilmun Burial Mounds, neglected Shia religious shrines, and the destroyed Pearl Monument from the 2011 uprising. These cases illustrate different modes of engaging with the past—preserved history, living heritage, and future-oriented transformation—shedding light on the complex interplay between destruction, identity, and national narrative in Bahrain.

Fibiger, T. (2014). Heritage erasure and heritage transformation: how heritage is created by destruction in Bahrain. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 21(4), 390–404. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2014.930064