Bahrain National Museum

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Bahrain National Museum
File:Bahrain National Museum Exterior.jpg
Established 1988
Location Manama, Bahrain
Type Public
Website Government site

The Bahrain National Museum (Arabic: متحف البحرين الوطني‎‎, also referred to as National Museum of Bahrain) is the largest and one of the oldest public museums in Bahrain. It is constructed near the King Faisal Highway in Manama and opened in December 1988.[1] The US$30 million museum complex covers 27,800 sq meters and consists of two buildings. The National Theatre of Bahrain lies next to the museum.

Exhibitions

The museum possesses a rich collection of Bahrain's ancient archaeological artifacts acquired since 1988, and covers nearly 5000 years of Bahrain's history. The complex includes three halls devoted to archaeology and the ancient civilisation of the Dilmun, while two other halls depict the culture and lifestyle of Bahrain's recent pre-industrial past. A notable exhibit is the Durand Stone, a long black basalt sculpture dating back to the Babylonian era.

In 1993 a further hall was opened, the Natural History Hall, focusing on the natural environment of Bahrain. This hall features specimens of Bahrain's flora and fauna. Among the exhibits in the ancient history section is an actual burial mound which was transported from its site in the desert and reassembled in the museum. Another feature is a tableau which depicts a scene from the Epic of Gilgamesh (in which reference to Bahrain is made as the paradise of Dilmun).

Old Quranic manuscripts, notes on astronomy and historical documents and letters are exhibited in the Documents and Manuscripts Hall. The building was designed by KHR Arkitekter of Denmark.[2]

The building contains the original nine major galleries, educational hall, gift shop and a cafeteria, in addition to administrative offices, laboratories and warehouses for the Conservation of holdings and parking.[3]

Panorama of the Hall of Graves exhibit
Panorama of the Hall of Graves exhibit

Gallery

  • 1932 Buick Bahrain Museum.JPG

    A restored 1932 Buick given to Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa by the American government. Donated to the Museum in 1992.

  • Bahrainnationalmuseum.JPG

    The museum's exterior.

  • Assyrian Clay Coffin, dating from the 6th century BC.

  • Early burial mound, originally in Hamad Town, moved to the museum.

  • Oil lamps in museum Bahrain A256.jpg

    Oil lamps on exhibit

  • Seals from Dilmun A112.JPG

    Seals from early Dilmun period (2000-1800 B.C.).

  • Pearl diver sculpture in Bahrain National Museum.jpg

    Pearl diving sculpture outside the museum.

See also

References

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External links

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