Dubai: Archaeologists from Bahrain and Britain say they have discovered what they believe to be the first Christian building in the Arabian Gulf, dating back to the 4th century.
According to the Bahrain National Communications Center, the structure, excavated at Samahiz in the Bahraini city of Muharraq, is considered “the first material evidence of this ancient community.”
“While Christianity is not widely associated with the Gulf countries today, the Church of the East, also known as the Nestorian Church, flourished in the region for centuries until the 7th century CE, which coincides with the spread of Islam in the community in 610 CE,” the NCC said in a statement.
Archaeologists said radiocarbon dating of the Samahiz site had determined that “the building was likely inhabited between the mid-4th and mid-8th centuries AD, and was likely abandoned as Islam spread among the local population.”
Excavations at the site began at a mound within the Samahij cemetery, where archaeologists discovered the remains of a mosque.
Further excavations uncovered a large building with eight rooms, including a kitchen, dining room, workshop and three living quarters. The NCC added that the construction of a mosque on the site is believed to have contributed to the preservation of the building below.
The findings suggest that the building may have been the residence of the bishop of the local diocese, including Samahij. Historical sources refer to the area as “Mishmahig” or “Mashmahig”, a variant of Samahij.
Records show that there were connections between the region and central church authorities, with one bishop being deposed in 410 and another being condemned in the 7th century for challenging the unity of the church.
The excavation project, a collaboration between the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Heritage and a UK team led by Professor Timothy Insole of the University of Exeter’s Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies and Dr Salman Al-Mahari of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Heritage, began in 2019 and is set to conclude in 2023 with this significant discovery.
This discovery is unique in that it is located in the heart of a modern, densely populated city, unlike previous Christian structures found in remote areas of the Gulf Coast.
Notable finds include three plaster crosses, including two that adorned the exterior of the building and one that was probably kept as a personal memento, as well as a wall carving with a fish symbol and part of a “Christ” symbol.
Al Mahari explained that the excavations, now in their final stages, are an important part of Bahrain's history and provide valuable insight into the Christian presence in the region.
Early studies date the site to the 6th to 8th centuries, but radiocarbon dating has placed its origins in the 4th century, making it one of the oldest Christian buildings in the Arabian Gulf. Recent finds include a prominent eastern cross on a plaster slab.
Excavations have also revealed details about the buildings and the lives of their inhabitants. Built with plaster-coated stone walls and plaster floors, the buildings were characterized by sockets and holes indicating the location of doors and seats. The kitchen had a built-in oven with shelves and storage space. Artifacts suggest that the inhabitants enjoyed a good standard of living, consuming meat, fish, shellfish, and a variety of crops. Semi-precious agate beads and broken Indian pottery were found, suggesting that the inhabitants were involved in trade, particularly with India. A small cup and twelve copper coins suggest the use of Sassanid currency. In addition, spindle rings and copper needles suggest the possibility that cloth was produced for religious purposes.
“We emphasize the importance of this site and the need for its preservation, highlighting its historical and archaeological value,” the guide said.
He added: “We were delighted to see that someone had painted part of a face using pitch on a pearl oyster, perhaps for a child who lived in the building. This is the earliest physical evidence of a Nestorian church in Bahrain and provides an interesting insight into how people lived, worked and worshipped.”
