The Dilmun Burial Mounds are a group of 21 archaeological sites in Bahrain that date back to the Dilmun era, which spanned from approximately 2050 BCE to 332 BCE. The burial mounds are distributed across various areas of the island, with the largest concentrations found in the northern and central regions.
The burial mounds consist of earthen mounds of various sizes, ranging from a few meters in diameter to over 100 meters. The mounds were used for burial of the dead and were constructed using stone, mud bricks, and other materials. The tombs were often reused, with later burials being placed on top of earlier ones. Many of the tombs have been looted in the past, and some have been damaged by modern development.
The Dilmun Burial Mounds are significant as a testament to the advanced civilization of the Dilmun era and the sophistication of their burial practices. They also provide insight into the religious and cultural practices of the period. In recognition of their importance, the Dilmun Burial Mounds were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019.