A'ALI BURIAL MOUNDS

A'Ali is an archaeological site of great importance, one of the largest concentrations of ancient tombs in the world. With more than 100,000 tombs, the necropolis of the Dilmun civilization can be seen as far as the eye can see. Looking at them from the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman highway, it is hard to imagine that each of these small clods of earth is the final resting place of so many people. The mounds of A'Ali may not be very impressive to the average person. But they are a real paradise for archaeologists. It is thanks to these mounds that we now know so much about the Dilmun civilization. One of their funeral customs has long intrigued specialists. In all the tombs, they found a small jar containing a snake skeleton. This is probably a reminder of the legend of Gilgamesh. After diving to the bottom of the sea to collect the flower of immortality, the legendary king of Sumer rested on the shore. While he was sleeping, a snake ate the flower (which was actually a pearl), so the snake became immortal. This is why the inhabitants of Dilmun were buried with this reptile by their side, in order to ensure the dead person eternal life.

The government wants to develop this ancient necropolis with more tourist facilities, because for the moment there is not much to see, except perhaps the royal tomb, the highest mound, which is still 15 meters high.