Dilmun Civilisation

  • The Dilmun Civilisation is regarded as one of the oldest known Bronze Age civilisations in the Middle East. It is thought to have been based on the island of Bahrain in the Persian Gulf.
  • In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Sumerians describ Dilmun as a Garden of Paradise.

History

  • Dilmun flourished between 3000 BCE and 800 BCE, until it was absorbed into the Persian Empire in 600 BCE. A clay tablet dated to 567 BCE states that Dilmun was then ruled by the King of Babylon.
  • Bahrain in the Persian Gulf, is considered to have been the home of the Dilmun Civilisation.
  • Bahrain is located in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Saudi Arabia, whilst Iran is 124 miles (200 km) away on the opposite coast.
  • Dilmun acted as an intermediary in the Trade between Mesopotamia and India.
  • In 2,300 BCE, a Clay Cuneiform tablet mentions that Dilmun had its own fleet of ships which brought Tribute in the form of Wood for the King of Lagash.
  • The Weights and Measures used in Dilmun were identical to those used in India for the trade in Ingots.
  • Dilmun seems to have hosted an important Metal Exchange in Ingots of various metals.

Trade

 

Bahrain

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