
Sea of Pearls
The History of Pearl Fishing in Bahrain and the Gulf
Robert A. Carter(Author)
Medina Publishing Ltd
Published on 23. January 2023
Book
Hardback
378 pages
978-1-911487-73-9 (ISBN)
Description
The history of pearling is inextricably linked to the history of Bahrain, the strategically-located Gulf archipelago set amidst one of the richest and most plentiful pearl fisheries in the world. Sea of Pearls tells the story of pearl fishing in the Gulf, and the role that this timeless industry played in global commerce, fashion, urban development, political struggles and the earliest long-distance maritime trade. From the 18th to 20th centuries, the industry boomed, as pearls were fished by ever-increasing numbers of tribesmen and townspeople to feed an expanding international market. Bahrain was at the centre of this activity before the industry's collapse in the early 20th century with the introduction of cultured pearls from Japan. The influx of traders, migrants, merchants and political advisors - each seeking to partake in the booming trade - left an indelible mark on the Gulf, germinating new city-states with cosmopolitan communities, which are now the global metropolises that we know today. Launching with the generous support of the Bahrain Authority of Culture and Antiquities (BACA), Sea of Pearls spotlights Bahrain's UNESCO-listed 'Pearling Path', a 3.5 km pathway taking visitors on a journey from the oyster beds of Muharraq, to the historical merchant homes and other structures involved in the pearling economy.
Lavishly illustrated, this book covers in unprecedented detail the history, development, impact and florescence of this ancient industry before it died out and was eclipsed in the age of oil. It is essential reading, not only for those wishing to understand the historical growth and geopolitical dynamics of pearl fishing, but also for those interested in the history and origins of the Gulf states. It is the fascinating, seldom-told story behind the world's enduring desire for one of humankind's most prized and precious stones.
Lavishly illustrated, this book covers in unprecedented detail the history, development, impact and florescence of this ancient industry before it died out and was eclipsed in the age of oil. It is essential reading, not only for those wishing to understand the historical growth and geopolitical dynamics of pearl fishing, but also for those interested in the history and origins of the Gulf states. It is the fascinating, seldom-told story behind the world's enduring desire for one of humankind's most prized and precious stones.
More details
Edition
First Edition, Hardcover
Language
English
Place of publication
Newport
United Kingdom
Edition type
New edition
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 307 mm
Width: 249 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
1869 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-911487-73-9 (9781911487739)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Dr. Robert Carter gained a first-class degree in Modern History at St Anne's College, Oxford, before obtaining his PhD at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London (UCL), where he began his archaeological career. He has since worked on excavations throughout the Gulf. He has lectured at various British universities, and from 2003 to 2006, was Gerald Averay Wainwright Research Fellow in Near Eastern Archaeology at Oxford University. Since then, he has worked as a consultant on rescue excavations in the Gulf, both independently and as leader of Oxford Brookes Archaeology and Heritage. He has been awarded various scholarships, grants and prizes, was chairman of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 2005 and sits on the committee of the British Foundation for the Study of Arabia. Dr. Carter worked as an advisor to BACA, helping develop and set up the Pearling Path and carrying out archaeological research in Bahrain. He is currently Senior Lecturer at UCL-Qatar, where he lives with his wife and two daughters.