2 November 2024 The Future is the Product of the Past

Archaeologists Discovered One of the Earliest Christian Buildings in Bahrain

Archaeologists have uncovered one of the earliest known Christian buildings in the Arabian Gulf, located in Samahij, Bahrain, and providing the first physical evidence of a long-lost Christian community in the region.

Christianity today is not something usually associated with the Gulf, but the Church of the East, sometimes referred to as the Nestorian Church, thrived there until large-scale conversion to Islam began to occur after the religion was established in 610 CE.

Located in Samahij, Bahrain, the radiocarbon dating of the building indicates that it was occupied between the mid-4th and the mid-8th centuries AD. The site was abandoned after the population converted to Islam.

Its identity as a Christian site is shown by three plaster crosses found, two of which decorated the building and another which looks as if it had been carried or kept as a personal memento. Another indicator is a piece of graffiti scratched into the plaster of a Chi-Rho and a fish, early Christian symbols.

The excavations, by British and Bahraini archaeologists, under a mound in a village cemetery revealed a large building with eight rooms surviving. These included a kitchen, a refectory or dining room, a possible work room, and three living rooms. It had survived as it had a later mosque built on top of it.

It is believed that the building might have been the bishop’s palace for the diocese that included Samahij, historically referred to as Meshmahig or Mašmahig. Records indicate a tumultuous relationship between Meshmahig and the central church authorities, with a bishop excommunicated in 410 and another condemned in the seventh century for challenging church unity.

Previously, the few Christian buildings—churches, monasteries, residences—discovered in the Gulf were found in remote areas of Iran, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and eastern Saudi Arabia, mostly dating to later periods. Samahij is unique because it is situated in a modern settlement.

The occupants enjoyed a high standard of living, consuming pork—evidence of which disappeared after the Islamic conversion—fish, seafood, and various crops still under analysis.

 Additional discoveries include carnelian semi-precious stones beads and broken sherds of pottery of Indian origin, indicating trade. Also found were small wine glasses and copper coins minted in the Sasanian Empire. Spindle whorls and copper needles found in the building suggests textiles being produced, likely used in worship.

The building was excavated between 2019 and 2023 as part of a joint project led by Professor Timothy Insoll from the University of Exeter and Dr. Salman Almahari from the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities.

Professor Insoll noted that this is the first physical evidence of the Nestorian Church in Bahrain and offers a fascinating insight into how people lived, worked, and worshiped.

A museum is now being developed at the site to preserve and present this remarkable survival and is planned to open in 2025.

University of Exeter

Cover Photo: University of Exeter

Related Articles

How Knossos Palace Looked in Its Glorious Days

9 May 2021

9 May 2021

Knossos Palace is a famous architectural structure of ancient Knossos, which was the capital of the Minoan Civilization. Archaeologist Arthur...

Scientists Use Artificial İntelligence to Study Ancient Australian Rock Art

1 April 2021

1 April 2021

Rock art is the oldest surviving human art form. Throughout Australia, petroglyphs are part of the life and customs of...

A cave painting found in Egyptian Sahara depicts a nativity scene 3,000 years before Jesus’ Birth

21 December 2023

21 December 2023

5,000-year-old rock art depicting the oldest nativity scene ever found has been found in Egypt’s Sahara Desert: A newborn between...

Excavation in Larissa finds a Hellenistic era sanctuary

27 November 2021

27 November 2021

The Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sport reported on Friday the discovery of ancient Greek and Hellenistic era structures at...

Archaeologists Found Probable Evidence of the Existence of Amazons in Azerbaijan

27 March 2024

27 March 2024

Archaeological research carried out in Azerbaijan recently likely confirmed the existence of Amazons, female warriors from Greek mythology. During excavations...

Medieval Moat and Bridge Discovered Protecting Farmhouse in England

14 March 2024

14 March 2024

Cotswold Archaeology’s excavations in Tewkesbury, a historic riverside town north of Gloucestershire, England, have revealed a medieval moat and bridge...

Southwest Germany’s Oldest Gold Artifact Found

28 May 2021

28 May 2021

Archaeologists discovered the 3,800-year-old burial of a woman who died when she was around 20 years old in what is...

Negev desert archaeological site offers important clues about modern human origin

22 June 2021

22 June 2021

The archaeological excavation site at Boker Tachtit in Israel’s central Negev desert offers evidence to one of human history’s most...

The earliest known depiction of biblical heroines Jael and Deborah was discovered at a Jewish synagogue in Israel

8 August 2022

8 August 2022

The earliest known depiction of biblical heroines Jael and Deborah was discovered at a Jewish synagogue at Huqoq in Israel,...

Ancient fish processing factories were discovered in ancient Roman city of Balsa, Portugal

18 July 2022

18 July 2022

In the Roman city of Balsa, one of the most important and symbolic archaeological sites in southern Portugal, archaeologists have...

Researchers found similar descriptions in the Book of Revelation and ancient curse tablets

10 February 2023

10 February 2023

A research project headed by Dr. Michael Hölscher of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), has uncovered that the book of...

Sidamara, the largest sarcophagus of the Ancient World, got Eros relief 140 years later

1 July 2022

1 July 2022

The Sidamara Sarcophagus, which is considered to be one of the largest sarcophagi of the ancient world and weighs many...

Researchers measure the impact of Population Pressure on Prehistoric Violence in Japan’s Yayoi Period

23 August 2021

23 August 2021

Are wars part of human nature? Do people tend to fight instinctively or do they war as a result of...

Europe’s Oldest Plough Marks Discovered in Switzerland and Testifying the Use of Animals in Agriculture 7000 Years Ago

8 March 2024

8 March 2024

Excavations at the Anciens Arsenaux site in Sion, Switzerland, researchers revealed evidence that Neolithic farmers used animal traction to pull...

The ruins of a temple dedicated to Goddess Kubaba found for the first time in ancient city of Kastabala, southern Türkiye

17 December 2023

17 December 2023

Ruins of a temple belonging to the goddess Kubaba were found in the Ancient City of Kastabala. The ancient city...