Topography

By Lucia Benediková

Al-Khidr is located at Failaka Island that belongs to the State of Kuwait. Al-Khidr lies at the northernmost edge of the island and forms a natural Bay that is considered to be a natural harbour in several sources (Fig. 1, 2; [5], p. 90; also Shehab A. H. Shehab pers. comm).

The Bronze Age site of al-Khidr is located along the western promontory of the bay and spreads ca. 150 m in a N – Sdirection and ca. 80 in a W – E direction (extension of the site according to the survey, excavation of soundings and geophysical prospection of the area by KSAM see Fig. 3). Part of the site lies below the area of a recent Islamic cemetery that is therefore inaccessible for excavation.

At Al-Khidr three main concentrations/mounds with cultural rubbles from the Bronze Age are distinguishable (Fig. 4): KH-1 (a mound along the western promontory of Al-Khidr Bay); KH-2 (the highest mound in the middle of the northern part of the recent Islamic cemetery); KH-3 (a smaller mound in the SW corner of the same cemetery; [8]; Shehab A. H. Shehab pers. comm.).

History of research

By Lucia Benediková and Peter Barta

Al-Khidr is mentioned in ([5], p. 90 – 91) as a Bronze Age settlement.

The Kuwaiti-French mission to Failaka carried out a survey of the island in 1999 marking the al-Khidr site as ”Area 5” (Sa´ida; [3], p. 2, 6).

Of notice is the transliteration of the name of the site that appears throughout the letters. The site is being introduced as Al Khidr ([2], p. 204), al-Khadir or al-Khidr / Muqam al-Khidru ([5], p. 90; for ‘al-Khidr’ see [7], p. 10), Al Khader (AIF 1958-1963, 10). As al-Khidr is the most frequently used name in various sources the spelling ‘Al Khadir’ used previously (feature lists, pottery sheets, registration lists) is to be replaced by al-Khidr for the forthcoming campaigns.

In Encyklopaedia Britannica [4], Al-Khidr is transliterated and explained as following:

"Khidr, al-

(Arabic, contraction of al-Khadir, "the Green One"), a legendary Islamic figure endowed with immortal life who became a popular saint, especially among sailors and Sufis (Muslim mystics).

The cycle of myths and stories surrounding al-Khidr originated in a vague narrative in the Qur`an (18:60-82) that describes the long and arduous journey of Musa (Moses) and his servant to the "meeting of the two seas." In the course of their travels, they lose a fish they had taken with them; a man of God appears, offering to help them in their search for the fish but performs seemingly senseless deeds along the way he sinks a boat, kills a young man, then restores awall in a city hostile to them. Musa questions what the man has done and receives a satisfactory explanation for everything; but by questioning, Musa forfeits the man's patronage. Arab commentators elaborated and embellished the Qur`anic story and named the "man of God" Khidr, claiming that he turned green as he dived into the spring of life, though variant interpretations identify Khidr with the vegetable world.

On a popular level, Khidr has been given a name (most frequently Balya ibn Malkan), many different genealogies, and dates that have made him a contemporary of Abraham or Alexander. Khidr's immortality and ability to assume a variety of local characteristics probably account for his widespread popularity among Arabs, Turks, Iranians, and other Muslims, despite orthodox Islamic opposition. In Syria, Khidr became partially identified with St. George, who, according to a local tradition, is of Syrian birth; in India and Pakistan, Khidr is identified with a water deity (Khwadja Khidr) specializing in the protection of mariners and river travelers; and, among the Sufis, he is associated with their founders, who were often endowed with holiness and sainthood“

See also

• Al-Khidr / Season 2004
• Al-Khidr / Season 2006

References

[1] AIF 1958 – 1963 Archaeological investigations in the Island of Failaka 1958 – 1963, Ministery of Guidance and Information, Department of Antiquity and Museums, Kuwait Government Press (in Arabic).

[2] Bibby, G. 1969: Looking for Dilmun. Alfred Knopf, New York.

[3] Callot, O. – Calvet, Y. 1999: Preliminary report on the topographical mission at Failaka, Kuwait (February 26 – March 25 1999). Unpublished report. Kuwait.

[4] Khidr, al- / Encyklopaedia Britannica 1996. CD 1996.

[5] Patitucci, S. – Uggeri, G. 1984: Failakah. Insediamenti Islamici. Ricerche e Scavi nel Kuwait. "L'Erma" di Bretschneider. Venice.

[6] Rajab, J. S. 1999: Failaka Island. The Ikaros of the Arabian Gulf. Kuwait.

[7] Salles, J.-F. 1984: Introduction. In: Failaka. Fouilles Françaises 1983. Travaux de la Maison De L’Orient, 9, Paris 1984, 9 – 19.

[8] Shehab, A. H. S. 2004: The report on Al-Khadir site. E-mail 2004.