Manama: The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) hosted the Gulf Archaeology Symposium, titled 'Gulf Archaeological Heritage: Discovery and Preservation', at the Bahrain National Museum on 6-7 January 2026. The event saw the participation of leading researchers and specialists from GCC countries, in collaboration with the GCC General Secretariat.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, BACA President, stated that the symposium reflects Bahrain's commitment to enhancing joint Gulf cooperation in the field of archaeology. He noted that the shared archaeological heritage is an essential part of the collective cultural identity of GCC states and underscored the significance of such forums in promoting research and preservation efforts.
The opening session of the symposium featured a keynote address by Dr. Salman Ahmed Al Mahari, Director General of Antiquities. He discussed Bahrain's approach to managing and safeguarding archaeological sites and highlighted the importance of regional and international cooperation.
The symposium included specialised sessions focusing on recent archaeological discoveries, site management and conservation, as well as the application of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in heritage documentation and preservation.