Tylos and Islam Hall
For over 400 years before Islam, Dilmun was known as Tilwun and later became known by its Greek name, Tylos, when Bahrain was visited by the admirals of the Greek king, Alexander the Great. In their writings, they described Tylos (Manama) and Aradous (Muharraq). Also Tylos appeared on the map of Ptolemy (200 A.D.) The evidence of Greek influence is apparent in
pottery, glassware, Greek writing, tombstones, jewellery, and silver coins depicting the head of Alexander or one of his successors.
During the late Tylos period Arab influence became evident in the use of Aramaic writing, incense burners and the local Arab adaptation of Greek pottery and figures.
Just before the advent of Islam, Persia and its rival Byzantium controlled the northern parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Meanwhile the kings of Kinda controlled the central areas of the peninsula and perhaps their influence Awal (Bahrain).
Bahrain was one of the first (629 A.D.). Al-Khamis Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in the Gulf region and is distinguished by its twin minarets, Arab arches and Kufic inscriptions.
Archaeological finds of this period are varied and rare. They include glazed and colored pottery, silver, copper and lead coins inscriptions in decoration Kufic writing and sculptured tombstones.
In this period Bahrain was famous for its date gardens, irrigation Qantas and Islamic forts such as the fort at Ras-Al-Qalah which dates which dates back to 200 A.D. which was restored and used in the Islamic period. Nearby, the Bahrain Fort was built and later Arad and Abu-Mahir Forts in Muharraq. Rifa Fort was built by Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed the Conqueror in 1812 A.D.
