Barbar Temples

What to Expect

Three Successive Temples

The Barbar site consists of three ancient temples built atop one another during the third millennium BCE. Constructed by the Dilmuns who inhabited Bahrain between 2100–1800 BCE, the first temple was erected around 2100 BCE. A century later, the second temple was built, notable for its precise design and featuring two altars and a freshwater well. After the second temple was dismantled, the third temple was built, showing distinct differences from the previous two, suggesting evolving religious beliefs and practices during its construction.

Religious Connections with Mesopotamian Civilizations

These temples provide evidence of a relationship between Bahrain and Mesopotamian civilizations of the time. The architectural style of the Barbar Temples resembles that of Sumerian temples in Mesopotamia. Additionally, the discovery of a copper bull’s head at the site supports this connection, as bull symbols were significant in Sumerian culture. The presence of water at the temple site suggests a worship related to water, possibly linked to Enki, the Mesopotamian god of freshwater. Some studies propose that the village name "Barbar" may derive from the Sumerian word for "foreigners," hinting at migration from Mesopotamia to Bahrain during that era, illustrating the deep ties between these ancient civilizations.