Bahrain is home to Qal'at al-Bahrain, an ancient port and archaeological site.
Qal'at al-Bahrain is a large archaeological mound on Bahrain Island’s northern coast. The site contains settlement layers dating back to around 2300 BC and was connected with Dilmun, an important Bronze Age civilization in the Gulf.
The mound includes the remains of buildings, streets, temples, and defensive structures from several periods. A substantial Portuguese fort was built at the site in the 16th century, giving the location its familiar name, which means Bahrain Fort.
UNESCO inscribed Qal'at al-Bahrain on the World Heritage List in 2005. The site is especially important because its layered remains show Bahrain’s long role as a meeting point for trade between Mesopotamia, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indus Valley.