Qal'at al-Bahrain City Wall IV
Qal'at al-Bahrain City Wall IV North Annex · Qal'at Site
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇧🇭 Northern, Qal'at, Bahrain
About
About Qal'at al-Bahrain City Wall IV
Qal'at al-Bahrain City Wall IV in Northern, Qal'at, Bahrain is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 26.2330N 50.5200E controls access to Northern resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for Northern, Qal'at, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1978 survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Qal'at al-Bahrain City Wall IV main structure
c. 1918
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1978–2008
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Qal'at al-Bahrain City Wall IV) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
26.2330° N · 50.5200° E · 206 m · 4 mapped features
Qal'at al-Bahrain City Wall IV — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
26.2338° N · 50.5209° EQal'at al-Bahrain City Wall IV — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
26.2320° N · 50.5193° EQal'at al-Bahrain City Wall IV — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
26.2345° N · 50.5212° EQal'at al-Bahrain City Wall IV — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
26.2314° N · 50.5189° E