A'ALI BURIAL MOUNDS

A'Ali is a major archaeological site, one of the largest concentrations of ancient tombs in the world. With over 100,000 tombs, the necropolis of the Dilmun civilization can be admired as far as the eye can see. Looking at them from the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman highway, it's hard to imagine that each of these little clods of earth is the final resting place of so many people. A'Ali's mounds may not be very impressive to the average person. But they are a veritable paradise for archaeologists. It's thanks to these mounds that we now know so much about the Dilmun civilization. One of their burial customs has long intrigued specialists. In every tomb, they found a small jar containing a snake skeleton. This is undoubtedly a reminder of the Gilgamesh legend. After plunging to the bottom of the sea to harvest the flower of immortality, the legendary king of Sumer rested on the shore. While he slept, a snake ate the flower (which was actually a pearl), and the snake became immortal. This is why the inhabitants of Dilmun were buried with this reptile by their side, to ensure the dead man eternal life. The government is keen to develop this ancient necropolis with more tourist facilities, as for the moment there's not much to see, except perhaps the royal tomb, the tallest burial mound, which is 15 metres high.