The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) has, in a pioneering step for archaeological research, launched a joint initiative with the Survey and Land Registration Bureau (SLRB) and the Institute of Cultural Property Research at Teikyo University in Japan to explore the Kingdom’s underwater cultural heritage.

The initiative aims to employ advanced technologies to locate, document and study submerged archaeological remains and historic shipwrecks in Bahraini waters, contributing to a deeper understanding of the Kingdom’s history. It also highlights the enduring relationship between the people of Bahrain and the sea, a defining geographical feature that has shaped the Kingdom’s identity and cultural heritage.

Underwater archaeology is a specialised branch of archaeology dedicated to the study of submerged cultural heritage, including historic shipwrecks, submerged ports and coastal settlements. It employs techniques including scientific diving, hydrographic surveying and geophysical surveys to locate archaeological sites, conduct excavations and digitally document them, contributing to their preservation and advancing our understanding of humanity’s long-standing relationship with the sea.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), underwater cultural heritage comprises all traces of human existence of a cultural, historical or archaeological character that have remained partially or totally submerged for at least 100 years. It represents a rich and diverse record of past civilisations and underscores the importance of safeguarding submerged heritage for future generations.

GO: Visit www.culture.gov.bh for more information.