Qal'at al-Bahrain, Manama (must see)

Qal'at al-Bahrain, also known as the Bahrain Fort or Portuguese Fort, is an important archaeological site in Bahrain. Located on the northern seashore of Bahrain Island, it stands 6 km away from Manama. The site covers an area of 17.5 hectares and is a typical tell, which is an artificial mound created by many successive layers of human occupation. It contains seven stratified layers that were created by various occupants from 2300 BC up to the 18th century, including Kassites, Greeks, Portuguese, and Persians.

The archaeological findings at Qal'at al-Bahrain provide valuable insight into the history of the country. The area is thought to have been occupied for about 5000 years and contains a valuable insight into the Copper and Bronze Ages of Bahrain. The site was the capital of the Dilmun civilization and was, according to the Epic of Gilgamesh, the "land of immortality", the ancestral place of Sumerians and a meeting point of gods.

Excavations at the site have been carried out since 1954, and different teams have uncovered many relics and artifacts from the different eras of occupation. The Danish archaeological expedition led by Geoffrey Bibby carried out the first excavation at the site between 1954 and 1972, on behalf of the Prehistoric Museum of Moesgaard. A French expedition from the National Centre for Scientific Research worked the site in the 1970s. Since 1987, Danish and Bahraini archaeologists have worked at the site.

About 25% of the site has been excavated, revealing structures of different types, including residential, public, commercial, religious, and military. They testify to the importance of the site as a trading port over the centuries. The site contains many areas and walls, including Saar necropolis, Al-Hajjar necropolis, Kassite Palace, Madimat Hermand necropolis, Madimat Isa necropolis, Al-Maqsha Necropolis, Palace of Uperi, Shakhura necropolis, and the Northern city wall.

Metal artifacts found in the tell were limited to copper pieces, fishing tools, and a socketed spearhead. The site also has a workshop of 525 m size where copper casting two-piece molds and wax molds were found. Small and large crucibles used for melting of metal were recovered in substantial quantities indicative of large scale manufacture by professional artisans. The copper ware was then traded in surrounding countries such as Oman and Mesopotamia. Dilmun stamp seals were also recovered from the excavations.

The site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 and is considered Bahrain's "most important site in antiquity." The Qal'at al-Burtughal (Portuguese fort) is located on the top of the 12-meter-high mound and gave the whole site its name, qal`a, meaning "fort." The site is open to the public and is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors interested in Bahrain's rich history and cultural heritage.