Kuwait uncovers 7,700-year-old ovens, ancient owl sculpture, rare artefacts in landmark archaeological discovery

Dubai: Kuwait has announced one of its most significant archaeological discoveries to date at the prehistoric site of Bahra 1 in northern Subiya. Researchers uncovered more than 20 ancient ovens estimated to be around 7,700 years old, marking a breakthrough in understanding early settlement life in the region, the state-run news agency KUNA reported.

The findings also include a rare half-figurine of a winged owl, remains of local barley dating back 7,500 years, shattered kiln-fired pottery, a small human clay head, miniature figurines and even a model boat , offering a remarkable glimpse into daily life during the Ubaid period.

The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) confirmed that the findings shed new light on one of the earliest known settlements in the Arabian Peninsula linked to the Ubaid culture, dating to around 5700 BC.

Mohammad Bin Redha, Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Antiquities and Museums at the NCCAL, said Bahra 1 represents “the oldest and largest Ubaid-period settlement in the region, offering a window into the daily life of its ancient community.

He explained that this season’s Polish-Kuwaiti excavation mission focused on field and laboratory analyses, including studies on decorative tools and ground-penetrating radar surveys that revealed additional buried features likely to guide future excavations.

Dr Hassan Ashkanani, Assistant Professor of Archaeology at Kuwait University, said the discoveries mark a major step forward in understanding the development of early communities in Subiya, building on previous seasons that uncovered workshops producing shell ornaments.

Dr Agnieszka Binkowska, Deputy Director of the Polish team, said the new findings provide valuable insights into daily practices, food preparation and the production of local pottery made from clay mixed with wild plants and fired using bitumen as fuel. Professor of Archaeology Anna Smogorzewska described the pottery workshop as one of the most remarkable discoveries at the site in recent years.

Since 2009, Bahra 1 has served as a key centre for prehistoric research through a long-standing collaboration between Kuwait’s NCCAL and the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology at the University of Warsaw. The current mission is co-led by Professor Piotr Bieliński and Dr Binkowska.