Failaka-Ikaros: excavation and research program

The Hellenistic establishment

Failaka Island, located in the Arabian-Persian Gulf 20 km off the north-eastern coast of Kuwait City, lies on the maritime route linking Mesopotamia to the Indian Ocean, at the crossroads of Mesopotamian, Arabian, Persian, and Indian worlds. Its freshwater resources enabled the settlement of human settlements from the Middle Bronze Age to the present day: no fewer than sixteen archaeological sites have been identified on the island since 1958, studied by international teams.
During the Hellenistic period, the island was known as Ikaros, a name reportedly bestowed by Alexander the Great, according to Arrian. At Tell Khazneh, 600 m north of the southern coast, an Achaemenid sanctuary was reoccupied in the Hellenistic period, around the late 4^th century BCE. The Seleucids swiftly capitalised on the island’s strategic position, founding a fortress at the turn of 4^th-3^rd centuries BCE, primarily under the reign of Antiochus I (281-261 BCE), as dated by the previous French mission. The settlement endured until the early 1^st century BCE, likely under Characene rule. Beyond its walls, it included a temple to Artemis and a large building known as the Terracotta Workshop, where numerous terracotta figurines moulds were discovered. With the exception of Temple A within the fortress, all constructions were built using foundations of small irregular stones bonded with earth, supporting elevations of mudbricks or small stones.
However the entire island constituted the territory of the fortress’s occupants and the villages established there accross different periods: in 2025, the Kuwaiti-Italian mission uncovered a 1^st century BCE building at Qurainiyah, on the island’s northern coast, while the Kuwaiti-Slovak mission had previously revealed occupation layers dating from 50 to 400 CE at Al-Khidr, at the northwest tip of the island. At both locations, it is reasonable to reconstruct ports and villages engaged in fishing and the cultivation of the island’s resources.

The fortress

From its earliest period, within its ramparts, the fortress included two temples, the larger of which (Temple A) exemplified Greek architecture while incorporating more eastern elements, notably decorative features copying Achaemenid column bases. Our research has associated at least one well with the fortress’s initial construction period.

Detail of the architectural decoration of the main temple. Photo c. 1960 © Moesgaard Museum, Aarhus

Well (north at top), photo H. Al Mutairi © DAMK/FKAMF

We have also revised the chronological distribution of several constructions across the six periods of the site’s existence, refining the phasing through detailed stratigraphic and architectural analysis, coupled with an examination of construction techniques. Our excavations have revealed multiple states reflecting alternations of abandonment, repairs and expansions of the fortifications — including the addition of a defensive ditch —, as well as the narrowing of the main circulation route. This evolution of the ramparts indicates that, over a relatively short time, the fortress and its defensive systems underwent significant activity, reflecting the intense life of the successive communities. By the end of its existence, the military character of the stronghold had finally given way to a densely populated village. Thus we can reconstruct a second period marked by the abandonment of the fortifications and the establishment of a village; during a third period, Seleucid authority reasserted control over the island, expanding the fortress and restoring its defenses. A fourth period was characterised by abandonment, followed by the re-establishment of a densely inhabited village in the fifth period (c. 1^st century BCE), before its final abandonment in the sixth period. The site was not reoccupied thereafter.
The Failaka-Ikaros Mission (established in late 2023) continues to refine the chronological sequence of the fortress’s stratigraphy, while new studies on Ikaros island — including geophysical and funerary prospections, alongside an extensive data digitisation program — are now underway.
Since 2011, we have implemented a preservation program for all vestiges excavated over the past sixty years at the fortress; however, until October 2023, our numerous interventions were primarily limited to emergency conservation measures. Since then, various material tests, applicable on a large scale, have been conducted to identify the most sustainable solutions while respecting the integrity of the remains; these experiments remain ongoing. As of 2025, a new program led by the Kuwaiti-French Mission of Failaka-Ikaros has been launched with greater resources, aiming to achieve comprehensive, long-term planning over the coming years. Notably, Kuwait is currently preparing an application for the inscription of Failaka Island on the UNESCO World Heritage List, titled ‘Failaka Island: A Palimpsest of Human Civilizations’, to which our mission is contributing.

French-Kuwaiti and French archaeological missions

In November 2023, the Kuwaiti-French Archaeological Mission of Failaka-Ikaros (NCCAL-DAMK-ARSCAN) was established with the support of NCCAL, ARSCAN, CEFREPA, and the French Institute in Kuwait. The Mission is co-directed by Dr. Al-Jassar (Secretary General of NCCAL) for the Kuwaiti side, and by Dr M. Gelin (CNRS) and J.-M. Gelin for the French side. Its research focuses on the Hellenistic period at Failaka, encompassing both the settlement and the island as a whole.
The former French-Kuwaiti Archaeological Mission of Failaka (FKAMF) was founded in 2011 by Dr. M. Gelin and Sh. Shehab (Director of DAMK at NCCAL), with the backing of IFPO. This mission succeeded the earlier French mission led by J.-F. Salles and O. Callot (CNRS-MOM, 1983-2009) and had investigated the Hellenistic fortress and the medieval site of Al-Qusur. In July 2014, FKAMF was handed over to S. Duwish (DAMK), E. Kienle, and J. Bonnéric (IFPO); it became associated with CEFREPA in 2016 and continued in its original form until November 2023.
At present, two distinct Kuwaiti-French missions operate in Failaka: the Failaka-Ikaros Mission (focusing on the Hellenistic period) and the Al-Qusur Mission (dedicated to the medieval period), each addressing separate sites and chronological periods.

Acronyms:
– NCCAL: National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, Kuwait;
– DAMK: Department of Antiquities and Museums of Kuwait;
– ARSCAN: Research Centre Archéologies et Sciences de l’Antiquité, Nanterre;
– CNRS: French National Centre for Scientific Research;
– CEFREPA: French Research Centre on Arabian Peninsula;
– IFPO: French Institute for the Near-East;
– FKAMF: French-Kuwaiti Archaeological Mission of Failaka (MAFKF);
– MOM: Research Centre Maison de l’Orient et de la Méditerranée, Lyon.

French-Kuwaiti Archaeological Mission of Failaka-Ikaros (since Nov. 2023)

– Gelin Mathilde, archaeologist, CNRS (since 2023);
– Gelin Jean-Michel, archaeologist (since 2023);
– Aubrun Romain, stone cutter, mason (2025);
– Bombeau Valère, archaeologist (2025);
– Costa Laurent, archaeologist-data digitisation, CNRS, Deputy Director of ARSCAN (2025);
– Laguardia Marie, archaeologist-funeral archaeology (2025);
– Marillot Olivier, geographer (2025);
– Pessel Marc, geophysician, Paris-Saclay University (2025);
– Saintenoy Albane, geophysician, Paris-Saclay University (2025);
– Zeyen Herman, geophysician, Paris-Saclay University (2025).

FKAMF (from 2011 to 2023), participants Hellenistic establishment:
Field:
– Gelin Mathilde, archaeologist, CNRS (2007-2009, 2011-2018, oct. 2023);
– Abdul Massih Jeanine, archaeologist, Lebanese University (2012);
– Al-Shbib Shaker, archaeologist (2009);
– Al-Mutairi Hamed, aerial photography, DAMK (2013-2018);
– Baier Steffen, topographer (2012-2013);
– Bendakir Mahmoud, architect-site preservation (2012);
– Couturaud Barbara, archaeologist, IFPO (2012-2016);
– Deb Ahmad, archaeologist, Direction of Antiquities and Museums of Syria (2009);
– Devaux Emmanuelle, architect-site preservation (2013-2017);
– Gelin Jean-Michel, archaeologist (2009 ; 2011-2019; 2022-oct. 2023);
– Guichard Yves, aerial photography (2009);
– Humbert Jean, draftsman (2011-2018; 2023);
– Thomas Yohann, archaeologist, Inrap (2014).
Artefacts:
– Ala El-Dine Abdallah, ceramologist (2009, 2011-2012);
– Alami Sara, preservation (2012-2014);
– Bergès Elsa, coroplast (2019);
– Bernel François, preservation (2009-2012);
– David-Cuny Hélène, draftswoman (2012-2018);
– Durand Caroline, ceramologist (2014-2015);
– Houal Jean-Baptiste, ceramologist (2016-2018; 2023);
– Monchot Hervé, archaeozoologist (2016);
– Palme-Koufas Anna, draftswoman (figurines) (2017-2018).
Students:
– Boucard Jordan (2016);
– Contant Louise (2015-2016);
– Imbert Malika (2009);
– Khawam Rana (2013).

BIBLIOGRAPHY :
– Serie of the Danish mission: Ikaros. The Hellenistic Settlements, Aarhus, 1983-1989.
– Serie of the previous French mission (Bronze and Hellenistic periods) : Failaka. Fouilles françaises, Lyon, 1984-2008.
– Callot O., “Faïlaka à l’époque hellénistique”, L’Arabie préislamique, 1989, p. 127-144.
– Hannestad L., “Danish archaeological excavations on Failaka”, Arabie orientale, Mésopotamie et Iran méridional, de l’âge du Fer au début de la période islamique, Paris, 1984, p. 59-66.
– Hannestad L., « On the Periphery of the Seleucid Kingdom: Failaka Revisited », New Perspectives in Seleucid History, Archaeology and Numismatics, Studies in Honor of Getzel M. Cohen, R. Oetjen ed., Berlin-Boston, De Gruyter, 2019, p. 312-332. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110283846-019
– Galliano G. (éd.), L’île de Faïlaka, Archéologie du Koweït, Lyon, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon/Somogy éditions d’art, 2005.
– Gelin M., « L’établissement d’Ikaros-Faïlaka au Koweït« , Bahreïn et ses voisins, Arabian Humanities 19, 2024 [en ligne]. https://journals.openedition.org/arabianhumanities/14357
– Gelin M., « Terre crue et archéologie: de la physique du matériau à la restauration de vestiges architecturaux », éd. X. Faivre, Argiles. De la physique du matériau à l’expérimentation, Archaeopress, 2023, p. 43-56
– Gelin M., Gelin J.-M., Couturaud B., Houal J.-B., Monchot H., “The integration of the island of Ikaros into “international” and regional networks”, The spatiality of networks in the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean, C. Durand, J. Marchand, B. Redon, P. Schneider éd., Lyon, MOM Éditions, 2022 http://books.openedition.org/momeditions/16386
– Gelin M. (dir.), Kuwaiti-French Expedition in Faïlaka. The Hellenistic Fortress (Tell Saïd). Preliminary Scientific Report 2009, Koweït, 2012. 128 p., ed. NCCAL. With contributions of Ala El Dine A., Deb A., Gelin. M., Gelin J.-M., Al Shbib Sh., Shehab Sh. https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-03139002v2/document. Editd in Arabic language: 2009 عام الأولي التقرير .(سعيد تل) الهلنستية لحصن, لحصن الهلنستية (تل سعيد)ز التقرير الأولي عام, 2016, ed. NCCAL.
– Gelin M., “New French-Kuwaiti research in the Hellenistic fortress of Failaka-Ikaros”, Excavation and Progress Reports (8^th International Congress on the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East 2), P. Bielinski, M. Gawlikowski, R. Kolinski, D. Lawecka, A. Soltysiak, Z. Wygnanska eds, Wiesbaden, 2014, p. 87-100. https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-03035169/document
– Gelin M., « Conservation et mise en valeur du patrimoine archéologique au Proche-Orient : quelques réalisations de missions archéologiques », Journal of Historical, Philological and Cultural Studies 27-1, In honour of 75 years of Guennadi Andréïévitch Koshelenko, Académie des Sciences de Russie, Moscou-Magnitogorsk-Novossibirsk, 2010, p. 62-84, pl. 1. https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-03010389/document