Survey on the Status of Tylos Island in the Partho-Sasanian Periods

Tylos Island, which is known as Bahrain, has located on the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It plays a special role in preserving the economic life of the Persian Gulf. The first identified settlement of Tylos Island dates back to the 5th and 6th millennium BC. Arriving of Alexander’s successors to the region in 4th century BC, the island was strongly influenced by the Hellenistic culture and was mentioned as Tylos in written sources. With the rise of the Parthian and Sasanian powers, the expansion of commerce in this region along with other northern and southern islands of the Persian Gulf was supported by the kings. Today, in the archaeological literature of southern parts of the Persian Gulf, following the Greek word for Tylos, the use of the term Tylos period has become in common. According to some scholars, this period historically includes Alexander’s dominance of the Persian Empire in the late 4th century BC until the emergence of Islam in the 7th century AD. According to historical reports and archaeological evidence, the use of term Tylos culture for this one-thousand-year period needs more consideration. The purpose of present study is to identify status of Tylos Island during the Partho-Sasanian period and to recognize its position regarding to the effective presence of Iranian cultures in the region. Based on the archaeological evidence & comparative studies, it is suggested not to use the term of Tylos period when the Parthian and Sasanian powers emerged in the Persian Gulf.