KUWAIT CITY, Feb 1: Hidden beneath the sands of Kuwait lie the stories and secrets of ancient civilizations, offering a glimpse into the country’s rich historical and cultural legacy. These discoveries serve as a golden key to understanding the region’s history and linking its present with its past. Kuwait's landscape is home to a wealth of archaeological findings, revealing the pivotal role the country has played throughout history due to its strategic location and its significance as a crossroads for cultural exchange and communication between ancient civilizations.

Archaeological missions in Kuwait began in 1958, marking a major milestone in the country’s exploration of its ancient heritage. This began when the Danish mission, invited by the Kuwaiti government in 1957, initiated the country’s first excavation projects. Since then, various archaeological programs have continued across Kuwait’s land and islands, placing its discoveries on the map of global civilizations and shedding light on the cultures and societies that have inhabited the region since the late sixth millennium BC.

One of the most prominent archaeological sites is Failaka Island, believed to have been known as "Ajarum" in ancient times. The island is closely associated with the Dilmun civilization and was a vital hub during the era, strategically positioned along the maritime trade route that connected Mesopotamia and southern Arabia. The island, which spans 12 kilometers in length and 6 kilometers in width, houses integrated settlements dating back to the early second millennium BC. These include residential structures, a temple, a governor’s palace, and a settlement overlooking a natural harbor, believed to be the island’s ancient port.

Over time, Failaka underwent cultural shifts, including exposure to Hellenistic influences after the fall of the Dilmun civilization. Excavations have revealed several Hellenistic-era settlements, including a unique castle, the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf region, complete with watchtowers, temples, residential buildings, and a moat surrounding the castle. The first significant artifact found on the island was a Greek inscription from 1937, which reads: “Sotiles, the Athenian citizen, and the soldiers presented this to Zeus Soter, the faithful, to Poseidon, and to Artemis, the faithful.”

Another important archaeological site is Subiya, located north of Kuwait Bay on the Tabij Peninsula. Excavations here have revealed settlements dating back to the Ubaid civilization, between 4500 and 5500 BC. These settlements consisted of interconnected rooms, burial mounds, and stone tools, including arrowheads and axes. The findings indicate active maritime trade, particularly with nearby cultural centers, as demonstrated by the discovery of a clay model of an ancient sea boat.

In the Tell Al-Bahita area of Kuwait City, excavations uncovered ancient neighborhoods approximately three centuries old, containing rare artifacts such as coins, pottery, and remains of homes, as well as remnants of the second wall of Kuwait, marking the city’s historical origins. Additionally, the Kazma area revealed settlements, pottery, and coins from the Umayyad and Abbasid periods, dating back to the 8th and 9th centuries AD. These findings highlight the area’s commercial importance during that time and also point to its involvement in the Battle of That al-Salasil between Muslims and Persians in 12 AH.

Archaeological reports further indicate the presence of cultural centers dating to the Islamic period in Wadi al-Batin, part of the Basra Hajj Road, as well as in Umm al-Aish, Kazma, and Akkaz Island. Other areas, such as Jahra, have also yielded important discoveries, including remains of buildings and walls reflecting the lives of ancient societies and their agricultural and commercial activities.

Despite over six decades of archaeological exploration, Kuwait continues to reveal new findings, adding layers of understanding to its civilizational and cultural history.

During the 2024 archaeological excavation season, Mohammed bin Redha, Acting Assistant Secretary-General for the Antiquities and Museums Sector at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, announced the discovery of new sites in Kazma, Subiya, and Failaka Island. He highlighted that the Kuwaiti-Danish team, in collaboration with Moesgaard Museum, unearthed a nearly complete Bronze Age temple on Failaka Island, dating back to the Dilmun civilization. This discovery provides new insights into human settlement on the island 4,000 years ago and underscores its cultural, commercial, and social importance in the ancient Arabian Gulf region.

Additionally, a Polish excavation team is working at the Bahra 1 site in Subiya, which dates back to 5700 BC, representing the oldest and largest known settlement in the Arabian Peninsula from the Ubaid period. The Kuwaiti-Polish team recently found a courtyard used for jewelry-making, along with many artifacts, including pottery from over 7,000 years ago. One of the most remarkable finds of the 2024 season was a small clay human head, considered the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf region.

The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters continues to supervise international missions, including Italian, French, and British teams, conducting excavations at key archaeological sites across Kuwait. These include the AlQurainiya site, the Al-Qusour site, and other locations dating back to the 8th and 9th centuries AD.

Dr. Stephen Laursen, Director of the Danish Archaeological Mission to Kuwait, emphasized Failaka Island’s importance as a center for trade between ancient Babylon and the Indian Ocean, with the Kingdom of Dilmun establishing a thriving port and numerous temples there during the third millennium BC. He described the recent discovery of a nearly complete Bronze Age temple as a major breakthrough in understanding Dilmun’s religious practices.

In line with efforts to preserve Kuwait’s antiquities, Dr. Hassan Ashkanani, Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology at Kuwait University, announced that a French team would soon begin restoration work at the Hellenistic Castle site (Tell Saeed) to protect previously discovered archaeological remains. Additionally, cooperation continues with various international missions, such as the Italian mission at the University of Rome La Sapienza, to conduct archaeological surveys across northern Kuwait Bay.

To further enhance the scientific understanding of archaeological discoveries, the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters is actively involving multiple sectors to provide scientific explanations and contextualize the original materials, plant species, and ancient environments associated with the findings.

Kuwait’s commitment to archaeological preservation dates back to the establishment of the Kuwait National Museum in 1957, which moved to its current location in Beit Al-Badr in 1976. The museum houses ancient, Islamic, and popular archaeological collections and serves as a center for cultural awareness. The state also introduced laws to protect and preserve antiquities, criminalizing any acts of vandalism or smuggling, and ensuring that the country’s historical and cultural heritage remains intact for future generations.

Kuwait's antiquities stand as a living testament to the region’s rich history, offering insights into human civilization, cultural identity, and heritage. The country’s efforts to preserve and document these discoveries continue to attract scholars, historians, and tourists alike, further solidifying Kuwait's position as a key player in understanding the ancient history of the Arabian Gulf.