29 October 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

4,000-Year-Old Dilmun Temple Discovered on Failaka Island, Kuwait

A joint Danish-Kuwaiti excavation team led by the Mosgard Museum has uncovered a 4,000-year-old Bronze Age temple linked to the early Dilmun civilization (3,200 to 320 BC) on the Kuwaiti island of Failika in the Persian Gulf.

The Dilmun civilization, described as ‘where the sun rises’ and ‘the land of the living’, was one of the oldest civilizations in the world, located in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. The Gulf archipelago, which is now the Kingdom of Bahrain, was home to the Dilmun’s capital. Because of its advantageous location, the Dilmun civilization was able to grow into a major trading hub. At the height of its power, it dominated the Arabian Gulf’s trade routes. Despite its significance and lengthy history, the Dilmun civilization is regarded as one of the greatest mysteries in history and little is known about it.

The discovery was announced by the Kuwait National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature. The council explained in a press statement that this discovery followed continuous excavation efforts in the eastern region of the palace and temple site of Dilmun on a hill known as “F6,” which dates back to the early Dilmun civilization period in the Bronze Age.

Traces of the wall thought to have been a part of the same temple’s platform were discovered on F6 hill during earlier excavations, and they were dated between 1900 and 1800 BC. The entire temple, which is 11 by 11 meters (36.08 by 36.08 feet) in size, has now been unearthed. Numerous artifacts, including seals and ceramics, have also been found that attest to the temple’s connection to the Dilmun people, an East Semitic-speaking group from eastern Arabia that engaged in extensive trade with Mesopotamian civilizations.

The collection of gemstone beads and a Dilmun seal recently discovered at the Dilmun temple site. Photo: Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)
The collection of gemstone beads and a Dilmun seal recently discovered at the Dilmun temple site. Photo: Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)

The new finds lie not far from other significant structures linked to this ancient culture, such as ‘the Palace’ and ‘Dilmun Temple,’ meaning this was the second temple discovered in the same general area.



📣 Our WhatsApp channel is now LIVE! Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates, just click here to follow us on WhatsApp and never miss a thing!!



Head of the Danish archaeological expedition to Kuwait Dr Stefan Larsen said this exceptional discovery is a breakthrough in understanding the religious practices of the Dilmun civilization.

According to the Kuwait Times, Dr. Hassan Ashkenani, a Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology at Kuwait University, pointed out that finding the temple next to a large administrative building hints at the site’s importance as a religious and administrative center for the kingdom.

Kuwait’s National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) said in the press release that the Kuwaiti-Danish team successfully completed the 2024 exploration season, continuing work from the 2022-2023 seasons.

Cover Image Credit: Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)

Related Articles

10,000-year-old rock art discovered in the Indian village of Medikonda

3 July 2021

3 July 2021

Rock art containing tiger, human and animal figures was found at the Jogulamba Gadwal site in Telangana, India. The New...

7500-year-old idol of Goddess Asherah located in Israel

22 May 2022

22 May 2022

Archaeologists excavating an ancient cemetery in Israel have discovered an idol they believe belongs to the goddess Ashera at a...

1,800-year-old Roman remains discovered in valley of eastern Turkey

21 February 2022

21 February 2022

Roman remains dating back 1800 years have been found in a valley in eastern Turkey. Among the Roman ruins found...

9 Relics of Neanderthal Found in The Guattari Cave

8 May 2021

8 May 2021

Archaeologists in Italy have discovered the remains of nine Neanderthals who were reportedly killed and mauled by hyenas in their...

Submerged Roman structure of concentric walls discovered on Italy’s western coast

3 June 2024

3 June 2024

Archaeologists have recently uncovered a significant Roman-era structure submerged near the coastline of Campo di Mare on Italy’s western coast....

Elamite clay tablet discovered 4500 years old, in southwest Iran

4 December 2021

4 December 2021

A clay tablet, estimated to be from the Elam period, about 4500 years old, was recently discovered in southwestern Iran....

3500-year-old ceramic oven discovered in Turkey’s Tepecik Mound

24 August 2021

24 August 2021

A 3,500-year-old ceramic oven was unearthed in Tepecik Mound in the Çine district of Aydın, in western Turkey. Tepecik Höyük,...

Archaeologists have unearthed a flawless Roman blue glass bowl in the Dutch city of Nijmegen

23 January 2022

23 January 2022

Archaeologists excavating the site of a comprehensive housing and green space development in Nijmegen’s Winkelsteeg, one of the oldest cities...

The newly discovered fossils are 200,000 years old in Denisova Cave

29 November 2021

29 November 2021

Scientists have discovered the earliest remains of a human lineage known as the Denisovans. Researchers have identified stone artifacts connected...

Terracotta Army Emperor’s Quest for Immortality: Tibetan Inscription Confirmed Authentic

19 September 2025

19 September 2025

Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor and the visionary behind the world-famous Terracotta Army, has long been remembered for his...

The 2,200-year-old Agora of Aigai ancient city comes to light

19 August 2024

19 August 2024

Archaeologists have uncovered an agora (city square) during excavations in the ancient city of Aigai, west of Manisa. Aigai, located...

“Mosaic of the Wine Harvest” mosaic to be exhibited in November in Turkey’s Hatay

26 October 2021

26 October 2021

The mosaic depicting the grape harvest, which is considered to date from the Late Roman period, equivalent to the 5th...

Roman Bath Complex Found under Spain’s Caños de Meca beach

22 May 2021

22 May 2021

A well-preserved ancient Roman bath complex emerged from the sand of a beach in the Andalusian region of southwestern Spain....

Remarkable discovery of Iron Age and Roman treasures found near a boggy area on Anglesey

29 February 2024

29 February 2024

Metal detectorist Ian Porter unearthed sixteen historical artifacts in a boggy field on Anglesey. Among the items found were Iron...

Ancient Library With Unparalleled Architecture Found in Stratonikeia, Marble City of Gladiators

24 June 2025

24 June 2025

An ancient marvel, unique in design and history, is being unearthed in the heart of southwest Türkiye. Archaeologists working in...