KUWAIT: The Kuwait-Denmark team announced on Saturday the discovery of a new temple on Failaka Island dating back to the Bronze Age’s Dilmun civilization, 4,000 years ago. The discovery came after strenuous efforts in the eastern area of the palace site and Dilmun Temple on a hill known as 6F, Kuwait’s National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) said in a press release. The team successfully concluded the 2024 exploration season, it added.

The NCCAL is paying attention to archaeological expeditions for exploring and restoration, out of its role in preserving Kuwait’s history and monuments, acting Assistant Secretary General of the NCCAL’s museum and monuments sector Mohammad bin Redha said. Uncovering this temple highlights Failaka’s pivotal cultural, trade and social role in the Arabian Gulf in the past, he noted.

A collection of gemstone beads and a Dilmun seal recently discovered at the Dilmun temple site.

The Danish expedition team excavates the site.

(From left) Dr Ole Herslund, Mohammed bin Redha and Hassan Ashkanani examine the archaeological discoveries.

Meanwhile, head of the Danish archaeological expedition to Kuwait Dr Stefan Larsen said artefacts of walls believed to be part of a small temple’s platform, dating to 1900-1800 BC, were previously discovered. The team found this year nearly the temple’s full design that includes several artefacts, he stated. This exceptional discovery is a breakthrough in understanding the religious practices of the Dilmun civilization, he pointed out.

Hassan Ashkanani, Kuwait University anthropology professor, said this discovery is exciting and important locally and regionally. The presence of two temples in the same site, along with a huge administrative building, shows its importance as a religious and administrative place on Failaka, he said. — KUNA