Cultural Diffusion and its Impact on Heritage Representation in the Kingdom of Bahrain
Résumé
Bahrain’s rich past was documented in varied explorers’ accounts as early as the 19th century. However, local awareness of the significance of Bahrain’s heritage burgeoned in the 1950s following the Moesgård Danish archaeological expedition seminal findings, which revealed concrete evidence of the flourishing of the civilisation of Dilmun on ancient Bahrain. The increasingly growing archaeological discoveries across the island in the following years necessitated the creation of a museum to preserve and showcase the collections. The need for a national museum was supported by the Government of Bahrain as well as local and international organisations. In 1988, the Bahrain National Museum was opened to the public and has since played a vital role in preserving and promoting the nation’s archaeological, ethnographic, and artistic heritage. The viability of the National Museum comes to the fore today as a result of a cultural diffusion policy that was endorsed by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities in 2006. The resulting network of site museums and visitors’ centres across the island have produced varied narratives reflecting a shift in cultural policies in Bahrain. This chapter examines the impact and ramifications of the proliferation of archaeological museums in Bahrain and the challenges it presents for the future of the National Museum and its core mission.
Domaines
Héritage culturel et muséologie
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