Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A'Ali Burial Mounds
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
OFFLINE MAP
(daylight hours; )
To gain an idea of the significance of the
burial mounds
that dominate the
approach to A'Ali, it's worth spending time at the Bahrain National Museum in Manama
beforehand. The mounds, which date from the Dilmun period, encase burial chambers
used for all members of society, young and old.
At 15m in height and 45m in diameter, the tallest of the mounds are referred to as the
'Royal Tombs'. It's easy to see why they deserve the name, as they give A'Ali, a scruffy
town of potters and bakers, a regal presence.
From Manama, take the Sheikh Sulman Hwy south past Isa Town, then turn west along
A'Ali Hwy and follow the signs to the mounds; the journey takes 20 minutes by car. Keep
your eyes open either side of the highway for other burial mounds: there are more than
100,000 of them in Bahrain. An erratic bus service links Manama and A'Ali.
Pottery Workshop
CRAFT
OFFLINE MAP
( 9am-1pm & 4pm-6pm Sat-Thu)
A'Ali is the site of Bahrain's best-known pottery workshop
and ceramics are on sale at several stalls nearby. Look out for the votive display of curios-
ities in the workshop and the traditional mudbricked kilns. In kilns of a different kind, flat
bread is baked in traditional ovens nearby.
A'Ali townsfolk seem to be fond of their pigeons - there are some elaborate dovecotes
around town, particularly near the pottery.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Sar
OFFLINE MAP
The excavations at Sar have revealed a honeycomb of
burial chambers
( daylight hours)
dat-
ing from the Dilmun period. They have all long since been plundered, but the systematic
removal of the coping stones has at least revealed the inner sanctum of the site and there is
still a feeling that this is 'hallowed ground'. When excavations are finished, there are
plans to turn the site into a major tourist attraction, including a museum. For now, while
the explanatory heritage board is not very illuminating, there is a special privilege in being
able to wander unchecked among the cradles of the dead.
