07 July 2025
On the Sidelines of the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, Special Seminar Marks 20 Years Since the Inscription of Qal'at al Bahrain on the World Heritage List
As part of the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the inscription of Qal'at al Bahrain – Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and on the sidelines of the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities organised a special seminar on Tuesday, 8 July 2025, at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in the French capital, Paris. The event was held in the presence of H.E. Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities; H.E. Essam Abdulaziz Al Jassim, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the French Republic; and Ernesto Ottone Ramírez, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture.
The seminar forms part of national efforts to raise global awareness of Qal'at al Bahrain as an exceptional archaeological site and a living testament to the flourishing of successive civilisations on the land of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the heartland and centre of the ancient Dilmun civilisation. It also aimed to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the site’s inscription, and to highlight major archaeological discoveries achieved through the efforts of Bahraini excavation teams and the contributions of numerous international missions, foremost among them the French archaeological mission.
On this occasion, H.E. Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa stated: “Qal'at al Bahrain is not only the first site in the Kingdom to be inscribed on the World Heritage List, but also a powerful symbol of Bahrain’s ancient civilisation and cultural legacy. It stands as a witness to the rise of numerous civilisations on its land, most notably that of Dilmun, which played a central role in shaping the region’s human history.” He added: “Today, we celebrate an archaeological site that embodies a rich cultural heritage, and we reaffirm the Kingdom’s commitment to protecting and documenting this legacy for future generations.” His Excellency also noted that UNESCO has long been a key and active partner—alongside other international organisations—in safeguarding Bahrain’s shared human heritage, expressing his hope for continued collaboration and future projects with UNESCO.
The seminar was presented by Dr Pierre Lombard, researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and former head of the French archaeological mission in Bahrain. Dr Lombard provided an overview of the key historical milestones of Qal'at al Bahrain and its role as a cultural and economic hub in the Gulf region since antiquity.
He highlighted the significance of the archaeological discoveries made over decades of research, commending the close collaboration between the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and the French archaeological mission, which has contributed to documenting the site and preserving its historical and architectural integrity. Dr Lombard also addressed the cultural and human dimensions of the site, describing it as a unique example of civilisational and commercial exchange in the region across millennia.
Qal'at al Bahrain was the first site in the Kingdom to be inscribed on the World Heritage List, having received the designation in 2005. The site is a remarkable example of continuous human settlement spanning nearly 4,500 years—from around 2200 BCE to the present day. As the largest archaeological mound in Bahrain, it holds a well-preserved stratigraphic record reflecting various phases of the country’s history. It bears witness to the strength of the Dilmun civilisation and those that followed, and their strategic control over trade routes across the Gulf. The site's significance is further enhanced by its monumental architecture, well-preserved urban layout, and important archaeological finds. Adjacent to the site is the Qal'at al Bahrain Site Museum, inaugurated in February 2008 with funding from Arcapita. The museum aims to preserve the site's ancient character and document the succession of civilisations through the conservation of artefacts uncovered during excavations.
