Ancient Christian building from the 4th century discovered in Arabian Gulf

SAMAHEEJ, Bahrain — In a remarkable testament to the ancient Christian presence in the Arabian Gulf, British archaeologists have unearthed one of the oldest Christian buildings in the region, dating back to the 4th century AD. This significant discovery was made near Samaheej, Bahrain, where the structure has remarkably stood the test of time, even after a mosque was built over the site.

Researchers believe the building served as a palace for a local bishop of the Church of the East in Samaheej. The structure comprises eight rooms with stone walls and contains three plaster crosses, two of which are painted directly onto the building. Other Christian symbols, such as the Ikthus and Chi Rho are also depicted on the plaster walls. Additionally, copper coins from the Sassanid Empire were found at the site.

According to the University of Exeter’s website, the excavation began in 2019 as part of a collaborative project between the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter and the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities. Efforts are currently underway to transform the site into a museum to preserve this significant historical landmark.