The Lost Ancient Dilmun Furniture: An Archaeological Experiment in Visualization and Reconstruction

The Dilmun civilization, developed on the Western shore of the Persian Gulf, c.3000–324 BC, left little evidence of its existence, among them seals, which reveal social and ritual scenes. The seals found in the two main centers of civilization, Bahrain and Failaka Island (now part of Kuwait), were designed and used by merchants who wanted to stamp their products. Various manufactured items such as pots, shrines, cages, and furniture are depicted. The furniture shown on seals includes only stools, chairs, thrones, and tables, and there are no surviving reliefs, painted pottery, burial models, coins, wall paintings, or other artifacts to provide further evidence. This article examines the lost Dilmun furniture through a detailed study of the seals and attempts their visualization and reconstruction.