A new temple platform at Tell F6 on Failaka Island, Kuwait

Abstract

In the first half of the second millennium, Tell F6 on Failaka Island was the location of two large public buildings (a temple and a production/storage facility) belonging to the Early Dilmun Culture. During excavation in 2018, an elevation in the north‐eastern margin of the tell proved to contain the remains of a 11.5 × 11.5 m platform. The nature of the building and its position in relation to the main temple indicate that it served as the platform for yet another—now razed—temple. Radiocarbon analysis dates its construction to the early second millennium BC and suggests that it was constructed contemporary with the adjacent main temple. The discovery further substantiates the general impression of a dramatic increase in investments in public buildings in this period of the Early Dilmun Culture.

Exchange networks of the Early Bronze Age Gulf: The imported ceramics from Kalba 4 (United Arab Emirates)

“…These sherds are illustrated to allow the entirety of the assemblage to be assessed. Some of these sherds probably post‐date the EBA and have some similarities to material from the later phases at Failaka Tell F6 (Højlund & Abu‐Laban, 2016).…”

“…131–149), ribbed rims (Højlund & Abu‐Laban, 2016, figs. 152–160), or plainer everted rims (Højlund & Abu‐Laban, 2016, figs. 191–211); there are a few larger storage vessels (Højlund & Abu‐Laban, 2016, figs.…”

“…The vast majority of the pottery was of Mesopotamian origin, with respect to the production method, ware, shape, as well as decoration and finish. There seems little reason to doubt the excavators’ conclusion that this represents a Mesopotamian settlement (Højlund & Abu‐Laban, 2016, pp. 251–252); this phase of occupation is securely dated to the Ur III period by a series of radiocarbon dates as well as clear comparanda of the pottery (Højlund & Abu‐Laban, 2016, pp.…”

Guest editors’ foreword

“…2), the first traces of human occupation date to a later period: the Bronze Age. The island was home to the Dilmun Culture, as suggested by the public buildings, in particular a temple (Calvet & Gachet, 1990;Calvet & Pic, 2008), perhaps two (Højlund & Hagelquist, 2019), a monumental building (Calvet & Salles, 1986) still designed as 'the palace' but probably related to food processing (Højlund & Abu-Laban, 2016), and a domestic area (Kjaerum & Højlund, 2013). At that time, the island was said to be called Agarum, but this name is now debated.…”

“…In 2007 and 2009, a Greek Archaeological Mission, directed by A. Kottaridi, conducted some soundings inside and outside the fortress. Since 2008, a new Danish team, directed by F. Højlund, the Kuwaiti-Danish Archaeological Mission in Failaka, focused on Dilmun sites and completed work on tells F6 then F3 (Hilton, 2014;Højlund & Abu-Laban, 2016;Højlund & Hagelquist, 2019). Three missions were created in 2011 and still explore Failaka heritage.…”