arabic known fort fort previously portugal fort portugal archaeological site located archaeological excavations carried unearthed artificial mound height containing seven layers created occupants 18th century including portuguese capital civilization inscribed history archaeological findings unearthed fort reveal history country area thought occupied years contains valuable insight copper bronze ages fort built thousand years ago northeastern peak present fort dates sixth century capital civilization according land ancestral place meeting point gods site termed important site antiquity excavation site carried danish expedition led later french expedition archaeologists involved work archaeological findings revealed seven urban structures beginning empire important ancient civilization region danish expedition revealed notable site geography fort tell built located island northern clear day seen stands like sentinel near capital away fertile north coast largest gulf region built close port land description typical tell artificial mound created successive layers human occupation strata spreads area encompasses tell continuous human presence 16th century site excavated revealing structures different types residential public commercial religious military testify importance site trading port centuries metre high mound impressive portuguese fort gave site meaning fort site capital contains richest remains civilization hitherto known written references site contains areas walls including northern city wall ruins consists sections fortification wall surrounding streets houses building edge moat portuguese fort centre pottery unearthed walls central building dating age temples pottery range unearthed artefacts indicated temples dating later relics copper ivory provide insight ancient trade links vessels unearthed site danish excavations palace area revealed snake seals mirror things layout excavations revealed small settlement period eastern northern village settled people developed agriculture near oasis planted palm trees tended cattle sheep goats ventured fishing small houses built rough stone clay mortar binding material floors houses said excavations hinted village streets separated housing complexes fortifications seen excavated area found township erected cardinal directions fort walls seen northern western southern slopes eastern excavated fortifications covered area acres walls built varying thickness stone masonry gates allowed transport passing fortifications frequently raised noted gates erected levels latest gate polished stone fine material fixed double gate western wall seen preserved length streets laid north south direction wide palace centre commanding location consisting warehouses indicative economic activity period proceeding north street leads large gate probably entry palace grounds modest houses built size type construction laid network roads place prospered till deserted eventually town covered drift sand sea metal artifacts found limited copper pieces fishing tools workshop size identified copper casting piece wax found small large melting metal recovered substantial quantities indicative large scale manufacture professional copper traded surrounding countries stamp seals recovered excavations vessels recovered cooking large vessels food import artifacts found indicates location include inscription link stone weight
Qal'at al-Bahrain