MANAMA, July 23 (Belta – Emirates News Agency) – Bahraini and British archaeologists have unearthed what is believed to be one of the oldest Christian structures in the Arabian Gulf region, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.
The site, discovered in Samahij, Muharraq province, Kingdom of Bahrain, represents the first physical evidence of this ancient community. Though Christianity is not widely associated with the Gulf state today, the Church of the East (also known as Nestorianism) flourished in the region for centuries until the 7th century AD, coinciding with the spread of Islam among the community in 610 AD.
Radiocarbon dating of the Samahij site has confirmed that the building was inhabited between the mid-4th century AD and the mid-8th century AD, but was likely abandoned as Islam spread among the local population.
The excavation project, a collaboration between the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and a UK team led by Professor Timothy Insol of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter, UK, and Dr Salman Al Mahri of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, began in 2019 and culminated in these significant discoveries in 2023.
The discovery suggests that the building may have been the residence of the bishop of the diocese that included Samahij. Historical sources refer to the area as “Mishmahig” or “Mashmahig”, possibly a corruption of “Samahij”.
Records also show the region’s connections to central church authorities, with one bishop being deposed in AD 410 and another being accused of challenging the unity of the church in the mid-7th century.
The discovery is unique in that it is located in a modern, densely populated town centre, unlike previous Christian structures found in remote areas along the Gulf coast.
Notable finds include three plaster crosses (two of which decorate the building’s exterior and one that may have been kept as a personal keepsake) and a wall carving depicting a fish symbol and part of the “Chi Rho” symbol (representing Christ).
Dr. Salman Al Mahli explained that excavations are in the final stages, stressing the site’s importance to Bahrain’s history and that it provides valuable insights into the Christian presence in the region.
Initial studies had suggested the site was built between the 6th and 8th centuries AD, but radiocarbon dating confirmed it was built in the 4th century, making it one of the oldest Christian buildings in the Arabian Gulf. Recent discoveries include a clearly visible Eastern Cross carved into a plaster panel.
Excavations have also revealed details about the building and the lives of its inhabitants. Constructed with stone walls and plaster floors, the building had sockets and holes indicating the location of doors and seats. The kitchen had a built-in oven with a base and storage space. Artifacts indicate that the inhabitants consumed meat, fish, shellfish and a variety of crops and enjoyed a good standard of living. Finds of semi-precious agate beads and fragments of Indian pottery indicate that the inhabitants were involved in trade, especially with India. A small cup and 12 copper coins indicate the use of Sassanid currency. Furthermore, a spindle wheel and copper needles suggest the possible production of cloth for religious purposes.
Emphasising the importance of the recent discovery, Professor Tim Insol said: “We highlight the importance of this site and the need to preserve it, highlighting its historical and archaeological value,” adding: “We were amused to discover a figure who painted part of the face of a child who probably lived in the building, painted in bitumen on a mother-of-pearl shell. This is the first physical evidence of a Nestorian church in Bahrain and gives us a fascinating insight into how people lived, worked and worshipped there.”
