Dubai: Bahraini and British archaeologists say they have discovered what is believed to be the first Christian building in the Persian Gulf, dating back to the fourth century.
According to the Bahrain National Communications Center, this structure discovered in Samahij, in the city of Muharraq, Bahrain, is considered “the first material evidence of this ancient society”.
“While Christianity is not primarily associated with the Persian Gulf today, the Church of the East, also known as the Nestorian Church, flourished in the region for centuries until the 7th century AD, coinciding with widespread Islam among the communities in 610 AD. It was from AD. NCC announced in a statement.
Archaeologists say that radiocarbon dating of the Samahij site confirms that “the building was occupied between the mid-4th and mid-8th centuries CE, possibly abandoned as Islam spread among the local population.”
Excavation at the site began at a hill in the Samahij cemetery, where archaeologists discovered the remains of a mosque.
Further excavations revealed a large building with eight rooms, including a kitchen, dining room, workshop and three living rooms. The construction of the mosque on the site is believed to have helped preserve the building below, NCC added.
The findings indicate that this building may have been the residence of the local bishop, which also included the Samahij. Historical sources refer to this region as “Mishmhig” or “Meshmhig”, which are probably varieties of Samahij.
Records also indicate a connection between the region and the authorities of the central church, with one bishop deposed in 410 and another condemned for challenging the unity of the church in the 7th century.
The excavation project, a joint effort between the Bahrain Department of Culture and Antiquities and a British team led by Professor Timothy Insoll of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter and Dr. Salman Al-Mahari of the Bahrain Department of Culture and Antiquities, began in 2019 and was completed in 2023 culminated in these important findings.
This discovery is unique because of its location in the heart of a modern and densely populated city, as opposed to earlier Christian structures found in remote areas along the coast of the Persian Gulf.
Notable finds include three plaster crosses, two of which adorn the exterior of the building and one probably kept as a personal memento, along with wall carvings depicting a fish symbol and part of the Chi Rho symbol, which represents “Christ”. is showing.
Al-Mahari explained that the excavation, which is now in its final stages, is an important piece of Bahraini history that provides valuable insights into the Christian presence in the region.
Preliminary studies date the site to the 6th to 8th centuries, but radiocarbon dating confirms a 4th century origin, making it one of the oldest Christian buildings in the Arabian Gulf. Recent finds include a clear oriental cross on a plaster slab.
The excavation also revealed details about the building and the lives of its inhabitants. Built with stone walls covered in plaster and stucco floors, the building had sockets and holes that indicated the placement of doors and seats. The kitchen included built-in ovens with baseboards and storage space. The ancient works indicate that the inhabitants had a good standard of living and used meat, fish, shellfish and various products. The discovery of semi-precious agate beads and broken Indian pottery suggests that its occupants were involved in trade, particularly with India. The small cups and 12 copper coins show the use of Sasanian imperial currency. In addition, spindle screws and copper needles point to the possibility of fabric production for religious purposes.
Insol said: We emphasize the importance of this site and the need to preserve it and highlight its historical and ancient value.
“We were delighted to see that someone had drawn part of a face on the pearl shell using bitumen, possibly for a child who lived in the building,” he added. This is the first physical evidence of a Nestorian church in Bahrain, providing a fascinating insight into how people lived, worked and worshipped.
