The Archaeology Thread

[Gilgamesh]

Iran: Biggest Ilamite Inscription Sprinkled with Paint

One of the most exquisite and valuable inscriptions denoted to the Elamite civilization, which is indeed the biggest one of its kind left from the rich civilization of Elam (3400 BC-550 BC), was found splashed with paint. No one has yet claimed responsibility for this cultural heritage disaster.

Located in the city of Izeh in Khuzestan province, the pre-historical site of Eshkaft-e Salman, known as Tarisha worship place, is one of the first sites in Iran which was registered in the list of Iran's National Heritage. It contains the biggest inscription carved in New Elamite cuneiform script which is now being ruined as a result of improper management and lack of security both in Eshkaft-e Salman and the nearby Kool Farah historic site.

http://www.payvand.com/news/06/sep/1185.html




Hotel Construction Continues in Tarisha Landscape

With the continuation of construction activities to build a hotel and an amphitheater in the vicinity of Eshkaf-e Salman (Salman’s Cave), also called Tarisha Temple, where the biggest Elamite cuneiform inscription is located, the cultural landscape of this Elamite monument has been put in a real jeopardy, taking away the chance for the world registration of the inscription.

Nearly three months ago, a local court in Khuzestan voted in favor of a hotel construction in the landscape of Tarisha, previously postponed for about two years upon a lawsuit filed against the private owner of the hotel by the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department of the province. Following the court’s ruling, construction of this 10-storied hotel was resumed. Meanwhile, the Department is trying to take the case back to the court for a rehearsal, believing that it could indeed convince the court not only to stop the hotel construction, but also to issue an order demanding the owner to demolish what has been built so far.

http://www.chnpress.com/news/?section=2&id=6665

Karun-2 Dam continues tragedy at Iran's 'Izeh'

LONDON, September 19 (IranMania) - A new tragedy is unfolding for the ancient sites of the Izeh region, as the Energy Ministry plans the construction of the Karun-2 Dam on the Sussan Plain in Khuzestan Province, MNA reported.

The Khuzestan Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department recently sent a letter to the Energy Ministry requesting its officials begin archaeological studies before the project becomes operational on the Sussan Plain, where many Elamite, Parthian, Achaemenid, and Sassanid era sites are located.

“The studies, which will evaluate the cultural significance of the site, should be carried out by the Energy Ministry,” KCHTD director Sadeq Mohammadi told the Persian service of CHN on Monday.

“The ministry will select a number of cultural studies advisors and the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization will supervise them,” he added, but evaded a question about relocation of the dam.

Experts believe that archaeological rescue excavations began very late for the ancient sites which were located in the area currently occupied by the reservoir of the Karun-3 Dam, which came on stream in November 2004 and devoured many ancient sites and artifacts dating back to the Elamite era, the Stone Age, and the Epipaleolithic period (20,000-10,000 BC).

The experts say a similar fate awaits the ancient sites located in the area to be flooded by the reservoir of the Karun-2 Dam.



http://www.iranmania.com/News/Articl...rent%20Affairs

[Gilgamesh]

Red Flooring of Darius’ Castle Appeared in Persepolis

Tehran, 20 September 2006 (CHN Foreign Desk) -- Workers accidentally discovered the red flooring of the hall of part of a castle denoted to Darius the Great, the Achaemenid king, in Persepolis which was used as his treasure house and was later turned into the office department to manage the area in the modern time. The flooring appeared when workers were organizing the garden in front of the office and accidentally discovered a red floor.

“The discovered flooring covers an area of about 5 square meters and dates back to the reign of Darius the Great,” explained Mohammad Taghi Atayi, archeologist in Persepolis historical site.

http://www.chnpress.com/news/?section=2&id=6668

[shugs]

Iran & Portugal to Renovate the Portuguese Fort of Hormoz


Iran is about to start restoration works on
Portuguese Fortress, located southern
Iran. The restoration will be in accordance
with the plan proposed by the Portuguese
government.

Tehran, 3 October 2006 (CHN Foreign Desk) -- In a joint cooperation, Iran and Portugal are determined to restore the historical fortress known as the Portuguese Fortress, located in the southern Iranian province of Hormozgan. Portugal contributes to this project by providing the Iranian experts with the restoration plan while Iran will take care of restoration itself. The plan has been submitted to Iran and the restoration experts of Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO) are currently waiting for the budget to start their project.

Last year, some restoration experts from Portugal visited the Fortress which was built during the domination of Portuguese naval forces in southern Iran. The experts decided to restore the Fortress with the cooperation of Iran. Therefore, they started some negotiations with the Iranian authorities and proposed a plan for restoring the Fortress.

“Portugal declared its readiness for cooperating in the restoration of the Fortress. However, authorities of Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization as well as Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided that the restoration of fortress should be undertaken by Iranian experts without direct participation of Portugal but in compliance with the plan proposed by the Portuguese experts,” said Kamran Mousavi, deputy director of Preservation and Restoration Department of ICHTO.

According to Mousavi, the Iranian government was expected to provide the budget for the restoration to start; however, it has not fulfilled its promises yet. Iranian experts are determined to start their restoration activities as soon as the project receives financial support.

Commenting on the limited attempts made for restoration of the Portuguese Fortress until now, Mousavi said: “Considering the limited budget which was put in our hands, we have only carried out some emergency restorations to save the Fortress from falling apart.”

The remains of the Portuguese Fortress in Hormozgan province are in a poor condition and their situation is getting worse due to lack of attention they receive. The authorities of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department of the province are trying to get financial support from the Iranian government to save this historical fortress from further destruction.

The 500-year-old Portuguese Fortress, also known as Hormoz Fortress, is located on the southern Hormoz Island and has been registered in the list of Iran’s National Heritage Sites. There is also anther fortress built by the Portuguese around the same time in Qeshm Island, close to Hormoz. The two fortresses were constructed by the Portuguese after they occupied and dominated the Hormoz Island in 1507 AD.

The Portuguese Fortress of Hormoz had a tall tower and a central courtyard. Its style resembles that of the European forts of the Middle Ages and was partly inspired by traditional Iranian architectural style as well.

The Fortress was captured during the Safavid dynastic era (1501-1736 AD) by Imam Gholi Khan, one of the commanders of Shah Abbas, the Safavid monarch.

SOURCE: http://www.chnpress.com/news/?section=2&id=6705

[Gilgamesh]

'3000-Year-Old Grave of Human with her Dog Discovered'

Ancients buried with pets in Iran Narges Tappeh

London - A team of archaeologists working at Narges-Tappeh recently unearthed two graves where animals were buried with their owners at the ancient site, the Persian service of CHN reported.

The team discovered skeletons of a woman and her child, who were buried with a dog and its puppy. They have also found a skeleton of a man buried seated upon his horse at Narges-Tappeh, which is located in northern Iran near Gorgan, Golestan Province

The excavations are being carried out to save Narges-Tappeh, which is located near the runway of an airport currently under construction in Gorgan.

http://www.iranmania.com/News/Articl...rent%20Affairs

[shugs]

I read about that a few weeks back.. rather hectic IMO but still kinda cute :P
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1700-Y-Old Sassanid Watermill Discovered in Takht-e Soleiman


Archeological excavations in the historic
site of Takht-e Soleiman, northwestern
Iran, led into discovery of a watermill,
believed to be the first one of its kind
from the Sassanid period.

Tehran, 17 October 2006 (CHN Foreign Desk) -- Archeologists in the historic site of Takht-e Soleiman, located in the Iranian northwestern province of West Azarbaijan, discovered a watermill which is believed to be from the Sassanid dynastic period (224–651 AD). This is the first time that such watermill from this historic period is reported to have been found in Iran.

Regarding the new discovery, Yousef Moradi, head of the excavation team at Takht-e Soleiman said: “This watermill which is dated to late Sassanid period is 17 meters in height and 6 to 7 meters in width … Water was directed to this mill from Takht-e Soleiman Lake through a canal and entered this watermill from a hillock or a raised ground with a high pressure.”

Moradi also said that such structures exist in abundance in the southern Iranian province of Khuzestan; however, since discovery of a watermill from the Sassanid era has never been reported by archeologists anywhere in Iran, the newly found watermill is most probably the first one of its kind which is dated to nearly 17 centuries ago.

The historic Takht-e Soleiman complex, known as Azar-Goshasp Fire Temple in the ancient times, is a major historical site denoted to the Sassanid dynastic period. Azar-Goshasb is the only surviving fire temple of this historic site. It was one of the most prominent religious centers of the Sassanid dynastic era and was used as a place for the kings’ coronations. Takht-e Soleiman is located by a lake with the same name which indicates that both fire and water were highly respected by the Zoroastrian Sassanids.

The historical complex of Takht-e Soleiman was added to the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2003.

[shugs]

4800-year-old artificial eye discovered in Burnt City TEHRAN, Dec. 10 (MNA) -- A team of archaeologists working at the Burnt City recently discovered an artificial eye at the 5200-year-old site in Sistan-Baluchestan Province, southeastern Iran.

“The eye belonged to a large woman who died when she was 25 to 30 year old and was buried in Grave 6705,” team director Mansur Sajjadi said on Sunday.

“Initial studies show traces of an abscess in the upper arch of the eye, and tracks made by the eyelid are visible on the lower part of the artificial eye,” he added.

“It is still not clear what material was used to construct the eye, but it seems that it has been made of natural tar mixed with animal fat.

“The thinnest capillaries on the eyeball have been made with golden wires with a thickness of less than one millimeter.

“The pupil of the eye has been placed in the center of the eyeball and some parallel lines forming an almond pattern are seen around the pupil. The eyeball has two holes in its two sides, which were used for fixing the eye to the eye socket.”

Some pottery works, ornamental beads, a leather bag, and a bronze mirror were also found in the grave of the woman, who was of mixed race.

Studies are currently underway to glean more information about the woman.

Nine seasons of excavations have been carried out at the Burnt City, which is located 57 kilometers from the city of Zabol in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan Province.

Archaeologists have discovered many artifacts including a 10-centimeter ruler with an accuracy of half a millimeter in the ruins of the ancient city. They have also unearthed an earthenware bowl at the Burnt City which bears images of what experts believe is the world’s oldest “animated” picture drawn around it.

Covering an area of 150 hectares, the site was one of the world’s largest cities at the dawn of the urban era. It was built circa 3200 BC and destroyed some time around 2100 BC.

The city had four stages of civilization and was burnt down three times. Since it was not rebuilt after the last time it was burnt down, it has been named the Burnt City.

______________________

3rd Millennium BC Artificial Eyeball Discovered in Burnt City


Discovery of an artificial eyeball belonging
to 4800 years ago in the historic site of
Burnt City has astounded archeologists.

Tehran, 10 December 2006 (CHN Foreign Desk) -- Archeologists in Burnt City announced unprecedented discovery of an artificial eyeball, dated to 4800 years ago, in this historic site.

Announcing this news, director of Burnt City archeology excavation team, Mansour Sajadi, said that this eyeball belongs to a sturdy woman who was between 25 to 30 years of age at the time of death. Skeletal remains of the woman were found in grave number 6705 of Burnt City’s cemetery.

Regarding the material used to make this artificial eyeball, Sajadi said: “The material this artificial eyeball is made of has not yet been determined and will be assessed through later testing. However, at first glance it seems natural tar mixed with animal fat has been used in making it.”

Initial studies on the eyeball also suggest formation of an abscess in the eyelid due to long-term contact with the eyeball. Moreover, remaining eyelid tissues are still evident on this artificial eyeball.

According to Sajadi, even the most delicate eye capillaries were drawn on this eyeball using golden wires with a thickness measuring less than half a millimeter. There are also some parallel lines around the pupil forming a diamond shape. Two holes are also seen on the sides of this eyeball to hold it in the eye socket.

Initial anthropological studies on the remaining skeleton of the woman to which this artificial eyeball belong revealed that she was a hybrid woman who died 4800 years ago between the ages of 25 to 30.

A number of clay vessels, ornamental beads, a leather sack, and a bronze mirror have also been found in the grave of this woman.

Located 57 kilometers from the city of Zabol in Sistan va Baluchistan province, southeast Iran, Burnt City is one of the most important prehistoric sites of the country which was well developed during the third millennium BC.

Spreading over a 300,000 hectare area, Burnt City was recently recognized as mainland-Iran’s largest prehistoric site. The city experienced four stages of civilization and was burnt down three times, which is why it was named ‘Burnt City.’ Discovery of hundreds of historical sites including 166 satellite villages together with large numbers of archeological relics, skeletons, and ancient structures in the archeological site of Burnt City makes it holder of an unparalleled record in the history of archeological activities in Iran.


Maryam Tabeshian
foreigndesk@chn.ir

[shugs]

Discovered Stone Slab Proved to be Gate of Cambyses’ Tomb



A huge stone slab discovered
accidentally last year was proved to have
once been the entrance gate to the
mausoleum of Cambyses II, son and
successor of Cyrus the Great.

Tehran, 13 December 2006 (CHN Foreign Desk) -- Agricultural activities by local farmers near the world heritage site of Pasargadae last year resulted in the accidental discovery of a big stone slab bearing some carvings typical of Pasargadae monuments. The discovered slab was recently proved by archeologists to have been the entrance gate to the mausoleum of Cambyses II, son and successor of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achameneid Empire (550-330 BC).

“A huge stone slab measuring 1.60 meters in height comprised of 5 broken pieces was discovered last March by farmers at a distance of 100 meters from Tall-e Takht and was immediately transferred to Parse-Pasargadae Research Center to be studied by archeologists,” said Afshin Yazdani, archeologist of Parse-Pasargadae Research Center.

Tall-e Takht or ‘throne hill’ is a citadel located at the heart of Pasargadae historical complex, the first dynastic capital of the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, in Fars province. Remains of an unfinished tomb denoted to Achaemenid King Cambyses II can be seen close to Tall-e Takht, from which only a wall has survived the ravage of time.

Based on studies by British archeologist David Stronach, the Tomb, also known as Zendan-e Soleiman/Eskandar (Solomon/Alexander Prison), originally consisted of an almost square, 4-meter-high tower in which a solitary, raised room was approached by a projecting monumental stone staircase. It resembles the Achaemenid era monument of Zoroaster’s Kaba in Naqsh-e Rostam historical site.

According to Yazdani, the stones used in the gate of Cambyses’ tomb are very similar to a stone slab discovered 50 years ago by archeologists. At the time, Stronach proposed a theory that the stone belonged to the mausoleum of Cambyses and drew a sketch of the original gate which he believed to have had two leaves, each comprising of 6 rectangular frames. He also drew 3 flowers each having 12 petals on the top and bottom of each frame.

“As Stronach himself was uncertain about his own drawing of the gate, recent discovery of the gate proves his theory wrong. Based on the new studies, it became known that the entrance gate of what is called Tomb of Cambyses was made of two stone leaves each having two rectangular 35 by 59 cm frames with three 12-petaled flowers on the top and bottom,” explained Yazdani, adding that the height of each door leaf was found to be 1.75 meters - that is 8 centimeters shorter than the height of the wall. Archeologists believe that the gate was made shorter on purpose to allow circulation of air in and out of the mausoleum.

According to the inscriptions of Bisotun historic site, the mausoleum of Cambyses was destroyed by the Mongol invader Geomat who disguised himself as Bardia, King Cambyses’ brother and came to power shortly after Cambyses’ assassination and razed down Achaemenid temples. Achaemenid King Darius the Great clearly accounts in Bisotun inscription that he restored the Achaemenid temples after murdering Geomat. “Evidence left on the stone gate very well confirms that it was restored during the early days of Darius the Great’s reign,” added Yazdani.

According to Yazdani, the new findings together with the fact that a similar structure to the mausoleum of Cambyses, Zoroaster’s Kaba, was built also by Darius the Great at Naqsh-e Rostam, proved that it was a temple whereas it had previously been variously regarded as either a tomb, or a fire temple, or a depository.

Cambyses was the son and successor of Cyrus the Great who ruled the Persian Empire from the death of his father in 530 BC to his own death in Ecbatane (Syria) eight years later.

During his reign, Cambyses continued the politic of expansion started by his father. First, he took part with his father to the conquest of Babylonia and was named King of Babylon after he captured the city in 539. After rising to the throne, he invaded Egypt in 525 BC, putting an end to the 26th Dynasty of the Pharaohs and beginning a period of Persian rule that covered much of the next two centuries.

Cambyses later personally led a force up the Nile to conquer Ethiopia, but after annexing the north of the country, he ran short of supplies and had to return.

While on his way back from Egypt with his army in 522 BC, Cambyses was assassinated upon order of one of his brothers, Smerdis, which he himself tried to have assassinated. At his death, after a short period during which Smerdis assumed the leadership, more palace struggles led to the rise to the throne of Darius the Great, whose task was to organize such a vast empire.

The mausoleum of the son and successor of Cyrus the Great, Persian King Cambyses II, was also registered with other ancient monuments of Pasargadae historic complex in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1979.

http://www.chnpress.com/news/?section=2&id=6865

____________________

Speculation... they cannot prove Cambyses' brother ordered the assassination.. for a start it was said he was an honourable man especially compaired to his brother Cambyses... and anyway later it was discovered that Cambyses assassinated his own brother before he set out to Egypt and replaced him with an imposter. He was most likely assassinated by his Lance Bearer and cousin Dariush (later to be king) on the way back from Egypt, altho one story goes that Cambyses sword dug into his thigh as he was mounting his horse and died from ganggreed days later... Dariush was involved with a band of conspiritors and later assassinated the imposter named Gaumata, posing as Bardiya (Smerdis) and claimed the throan.... but its all rather vague

[Spade87]

Hi all I’m new to this forum. But I have visited it for a vile, and I saw that theirs little activity her so I thought I join. Anyway I came across this news don’t know if it’s been posted.


Archeologists at the Persian Gulf Island of Khark discovered 106 ossuary tombs belonging to the Sassanid dynastic era (224-651 AD) dug into a cliff.


Tehran, 23 December 2006 (CHN) -- Archeological excavations in the Persian Gulf Island of Khark led into discovery of 106 ossuary tombs dating back to the Sassanid dynastic era (224-651 AD) dug into a cliff.

"Ossuary tombs are graves which were used during the Sassanid dynastic period. We succeeded in identifying 106 ossuaries in Khark Island in the heart of a giant cliff. Discovery of large numbers of ossuary tombs indicates that this rock cliff was used as a cemetery 1700 years ago," said Hamid Zarei, head of archeology team in Khark Island to CHN.

The people of the Sassanid period used to dig holes in the rocks in which they placed remaining skeletons of their deceased. According to Zarei, in the newly discovered tombs, the corps was buried in an east-west direction, the reason of which is not known yet.

Regarding other discoveries in Khark Island, Zarei explained: "The archeology team has discovered a big cistern 12 meters in length and 3 meters in width which was dug in a cliff. A big aqueduct dating back to the Sassanid era which is 19 meters in depth has also been found in this area."

Some very invaluable historical evidence belonging to the Sassanid era has been discovered during this season of excavations in Khark Island. "We found two other Sassanid monuments including a fire temple, from which not much has remained, and a domed building with four columns during our studies in Khark Island," explained Zarei.

Discovery of a total of 96 Sassanid aqueducts, 5 of which have remained in use to this date, is among other major achievements by archeologists in Khark Island.

Khark, also written Kharg, is a continental island in the Persian Gulf and is considered part of Bushehr province, southern Iran. Recently, a team of archeologists from Bushehr province has started excavations in Khark Island to identify and register historic evidence of the region.

http://www.payvand.com/news/06/dec/1245.html

[Gilgamesh]

Sad Sivand & Bolaghi Gorge













More + Pasargad: http://www.farsnews.com/imgrep.php?nn=8507030198

[shugs]

Burnt City stamp to come out soon
TEHRAN, March 14 (MNA) -- The stamp of the 5200-year-old Burnt City will be soon published, head of Sistan-Baluchestan Post Company said on Wednesday.

The stamp bears the world’s oldest example of animation on an earthen bowl, Rahim Shahbakhsh said, adding that the bowl bears five pictures showing a goat jumping to eat the leaves of a tree.

The idea was proposed by Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicraft Organization (CHTHO) and the provincial company.

The Burnt City is located 57 km off the city of Zabol in the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan-Baluchestan.

Covering an area of 150 hectares, the site was one of the world’s largest cities at the dawn of the urban era. It was built circa 3200 BC and destroyed around 2100 BC. The city had four stages of civilization and was burnt down three times. Since it was not rebuilt after the last time it was burnt down, it has been named the Burnt City.

http://mehrnews.com/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=461365

[shugs]

Discovery of the Second Persian Geometrical Inscription



The second Persian rock inscription in geometrical script has been discovered in Kaftarlou hill in Kurdistan province.

Tehran, 25 July 2007 (CHN Foreign Desk) – The second Persian geometrical inscription which was carved in Kaftarlou hill have been discovered in Akhtarabad region in Shahryar plain located in Iranian western province of Kurdistan. Due to the similarity of this geometrical writing with those previously found in Susa clay stamps and Jiroft’s inscription, experts estimate that this newly discovered geometrical inscription must have dated back to at least 5000 years ago.

After Kan Charmee inscription which was discovered previous year in northern Kurdistan, this is the second geometrical inscription ever found in Iran. Regarding the antiquity of this inscription, Reza Moradi Ghiasabadi, archeologist and researcher, says: “Based on the signs implemented in creating this geometrical writing and its similarity to Susa stamps, it is believed that it must have belonged to 4200 to 4500 years ago. On the other hand, due to the rate of oxidization, we give the possibility that the inscription must have been more ancient.”

Pointing out that this discovery can provide archeologists the chance to trace the trend of geometrical writing development in Iran, Ghiasabadi added: “This inscription is closely resemble those ones previously discovered by Dr. Majidzadeh in Konar Sandal hill in Jiroft historic site in Kerman province which go as far back as the third millennium BC. However, since the writing discovered in Konar Sandal is somehow more developed than this newly discovered one, we give the possibility that Kaftarlou inscription must have been more ancient with 5500 years antiquity.”

According to this archeologist, unfortunately most parts of the inscription have been severely damaged over time and totally 10 signs which are not even in a correct order have been identified. That is why archeologists have faced a real problem for documenting and decoding this ancient inscription.

Prior to this, Walter Hintz succeeded in decoding some parts of the Susa geometrical writing. Results achieved due to the efforts of this researcher may be used as a guide for finding about the approximate meanings of Kaftarlou inscription.

“Designs of animals such as goat, boar, camel, and hunting scenes can be also seen next to this inscription. With taking a look at these designs, we can somehow get acquainted with the environmental condition of Shahryar plain during ancient times and trend of domestication of animals in this region,” said Ghiasabadi.

This archeologist further explained about existence of a smaller inscription on which the Arabesque phrase of “La ela Lalah” (there is no God except the single God) can be read and a Kufic script next to Kaftarlou inscription. “Existence of these inscriptions belonging to Islamic period (651 AD) is considered invaluable for determining the exact age of Kaftarlou inscription. Making a compare between the amount of oxidation between these two Islamic writings and Kaftarlou historical inscription and the engraved animals may provide archeologists a more accurate approach to clarify the exact age of Kaftarlou geometrical inscription,” added Ghiasabadi.

The initial report of this inscription is due to be released within a few weeks, however considering the rate of damage of this historic inscription, preparing the final report may take several years.

http://www.chnpress.com/news/?section=2&id=7237

[shugs]

Vandals smash column bases of Susa Apadana Palace

TEHRAN, Jan. 6 (MNA) -- Column bases of the Apadana Palace of ancient Susa in Khuzestan Province have recently been demolished by vandals.

The palace’s remaining column bases have been broken into two pieces and inscriptions on the artifacts have been obliterated, the Khuzestan Cultural Heritage Lovers Society (Tariana) spokesman Mojtaba Gahestuni told the Persian service of CHN on Sunday.

The stone inscriptions have been severed and scattered around the ancient archaeological site, he added.

“The reason for the destruction of the artifacts is not clear,” Gahestuni remarked, adding, “The incident probably results from the vandals’ ignorance of the historical significance of the relics.”

He went on to say that many problems are caused by the lack of appropriate fencing around the site which covers about 360 hectares.

“The Khuzestan Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department undertook the installation of rods around the zone, but the measure was inadequate and has not prevented unauthorized people from entering the precinct,” Gahestuni explained.

According to Gahestuni, the use of concrete and iron rods for demarcation purposes has even led to some damage to the area.

The Apadana Palace is also being threatened by the construction of a preparatory school on its perimeter.

In early December, Tariana sent letters to President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, asking him put a stop to the project.

The school building, which is to be four stories tall, will spoil the horizontal view from the palace ruins.

In addition, the historical metropolis of Susa, which has been inhabited for over 7000 years, is being spoilt by Shush Municipality’s construction of a passenger bus terminal in the city’s southern section.

Experts have previously given warning of the chaotic situation at the site, pointing out that such disorder has facilitated the illegal activities of smugglers who have managed to carry out excavations in search of valuable artifacts.

Source: Mehr News Agency 17:30, 2008/01/06

____________________________________

Savages.

[shugs]

Ancient Achaemenian city unearthed
Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:29:53

Ruins of a grand pillared balcony, stairs and hall believed to be part of an Achaemenian city, have been discovered in Fars province.

A team of Iranian and Australian archeologists have begun their second round of excavation on the site, which might just be the remains of the ancient city of Lydoma, written about on ancient Achaemenian plaques.

This antique structure has giant pillars. Every column measures a meter thickness and is grey in color similar to the ones in Takht-e Jamshid.

Their design closely resembles those in Takht-e Jamshid and can be compared with its one-hundred pillar palace, decorated with lotus like flowers and palm leaves.

However experts are yet to verify to what period of the Achaemenian reign the ruins belong. A close study of the large flagstones, numerous marble vessels, and newly unearthed balcony and staircase should help unlock the mysteries of this lost world.

Other such architectural sites and prestigious pillars found in the surrounding area suggest that this is not the only monument in the area and the recent discoveries will help reawaken Iran's past renowned heritage.

Source: PressTV

[sinasina]

Thanks V.much for the updates i didn't know we have so much.....

[shugs]

Excavations In Iran Unravel Mystery Of 'Red Snake'

ScienceDaily (Feb. 18, 2008) — New discoveries unearthed at an ancient frontier wall in Iran provide compelling evidence that the Persians matched the Romans for military might and engineering prowess.

The 'Great Wall of Gorgan in north-eastern Iran, a barrier of awesome scale and sophistication, including over 30 military forts, an aqueduct, and water channels along its route, is being explored by an international team of archaeologists from Iran and the Universities of Edinburgh and Durham. This vast Wall-also known as the 'Red Snake'-is more than 1000 years older than the Great Wall of China, and longer than Hadrian's Wall and the Antonine Wall put together.

Until recently, nobody knew who had built the Wall. Theories ranged from Alexander the Great, in the 4th century BC, to the Persian king Khusrau I in the 6th century AD. Most scholars favoured a 2nd or 1st century BC construction. Scientific dating has now shown that the Wall was built in the 5th, or possibly, 6th century AD, by the Sasanian Persians. This Persian dynasty has created one of the most powerful empires in the ancient world, centred on Iran, and stretching from modern Iraq to southern Russia, Central Asia and Pakistan.

Modern survey techniques and satellite images have revealed that the forts were densely occupied with military style barrack blocks. Numerous finds discovered during the latest excavations indicate that the frontier bustled with life. Researchers estimate that some 30,000 soldiers could have been stationed at this Wall alone. It is thought that the 'Red Snake'was a defence system against the White Huns, who lived in Central Asia.

Eberhard Sauer, of the University of Edinburgh's School of History, Classics and Archaeology, said: “Our project challenges the traditional Euro-centric world view. At the time, when the Western Roman Empire was collapsing and even the Eastern Roman Empire was under great external pressure, the Sasanian Persian Empire mustered the manpower to build and garrison a monument of greater scale than anything comparable in the west. The Persians seem to match, or more than match, their late Roman rivals in army strength, organisational skills, engineering and water management.”

The research is published in the new edition of Current World Archaeology and the periodical Iran, Journal of the British Institute of Persian Studies 45.

Adapted from materials provided by University of Edinburgh.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0218155534.htm

[TEHR_IR]

Archeologists have discovered ancient architecture and two burial chambers belonging to the Bronze Age in a northern Iranian province.
A team of archeologists have unearthed 70 centimeter thick walls and two burial chambers belonging to an adult and a child in the historical Gohar Tappeh site located in Mazandaran province.
“The fact that the discovered objects and architecture, which belong to the Bronze Age, continued to be in use in the next era of the Iron Age is of great importance,” Ali Mahforouzi, head of the archeological team in the site said.
“Archeologists found 4 meters of the 5,000-year-old mud-brick walls and also ruins of two bodies belonging to an adult and a child on the ground of the site surrounded by the walls,” he added.
According to Mahforouzi, the bodies, dating back to the Bronze Age, along with the discovered architectures are to be restored by professional archeologists.

http://www.payvand.com/news/07/jan/1013.html

[One avatar sized image does not constitute opening a photo thread]

[shugs]

Iran's Economy Controlled by Women 5000 Years ago

TEHRAN (FNA)- Recent studies of a team of archeologists have shown that 5000 years ago (3200 BC) women had the economic control of the Burnt City in Iran.



The Burnt City has been continually excavated since the 1970s by Iranian and Italian archaeological teams, with new discoveries periodically reported.

Covering an area of 151 hectares, the city was built around 3200 BC and abandoned over a millennium later in 2100 BC.

The city experienced four stages of civilization and was burnt down three times. It took its eventual named because it was never rebuilt after the last fire.

According to Seyed Mansour Seyed Sajjadi, director of the team working at the Burnt City in Sistan-Baluchestan Province, southeastern Iran, some paleo-anthropologists believe that mothers in the Burnt City had social and financial prominence.

Sajjadi said that 5000 year-old insignias, made of river pebbles and believed to belong only to distinguished inhabitants of the city, were found in the graves of some female citizens.

Some believe that the female owners of the insignias used them to place their seal on valuable documents. Others believe the owners may have used the seal to indicate their lofty status in society.

In December 2006, archaeologists discovered the world's earliest artificial eyeball in the city's necropolis, thought to have been worn by a female resident of the Burnt City.

The artificial eye is a hemisphere with a diameter of just over 2.5 cm (1 inch). It consists of very light material, probably bitumen paste.

The surface of the artificial eye is covered with a thin layer of gilding and is engraved with a circle at its center to represent the iris. The eye includes gold lines patterned like the rays of the sun.

A hole has been drilled through the eyeball, through which a golden thread is thought to have held the eyeball in place.

Microscopic research has revealed that the eye socket of the female remains bear clear imprints of the golden thread, suggesting that the woman must have worn the eyeball during her lifetime.

With her shining golden eye, she must have been a striking figure, perhaps a soothsayer or an oracle, thus signifying the importance of women in the city.

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8705240774

[Shapoor]

Achaemenid sites found in western Iran- Press TV
Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:17:43 GMT



Iranian archeologists have discovered Achaemenid sites during excavations in the Khandab town of the country's western Markazi Province.

Excavations have yielded over 80 ancient sites in the area including vast residential areas dating back to the Achaemenid era.

“This is the first excavation project in Khandab and the Achaemenid finds are the first of their kind in the western parts of Markazi Province,” said head of the archeology team Ali Asadi.

“The team has found earthenware similar to the Achaemenid ones found in Fars Province,” he said. “It seems that the area had been a flourishing and prosperous site in the Achaemenid era.”

Asadi believes that these areas may also include governmental road stations.

Khandab excavations have also yielded middle- and late-Islamic faience as well as rock paintings, which are set to be studied and dated.

TE/HGH

[shugs]

Cyrus Charter to Be Taken Home from UK for Monthly Exhibition

Tehran, Feb 26, 2009: Officials from Iran National Museum are in talks with their counterparts from the British Museum to borrow the famous Charter of the Cyrus the Great for a few months to put it on public display at home.

Deputy chairman of Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization Hamid Baqaee, told IRNA in London that Tehran was to transfer the baked-clay cylinder to Iran after finalizing the ongoing talks with the British Museum where is the house of the charter which is considered as the first human rights declaration.

The charter of Cyrus the Great, the Persian King of 539 B.C. is a baked-clay Aryan language (Old Persian) cuneiform cylinder that was discovered in 1878 in an excavation operation in the site of Babylon.

The Persian King described in the charter his humane treatment of the inhabitants of Babylonia after its conquest by the Iranians.

The document has been hailed as the first charter of human rights, and in 1971 the United Nations published a translation of it in all the UN official languages.

The cylinder is currently housed in the British Museum and a replica of it is being kept at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.

In parts of the declaration, Cyrus had said, “Until I am alive, I prevent unpaid, forced labor. To day, I announce that everyone is free to choose a religion. People are free to live in all regions and take up a job provided that they never violate other+s rights.”

Baqaee hoped that grounds would be prepared for the transfer of the cylinder to Iran.

“Cultural ties would help promote social relations among nations,” Baqaee said, adding that growing cultural relations would influence nations political and economic ties as well “although cultural issues are different from political affairs.”

Baqaee is in London for the inauguration of an exhibition on Iran+s arts and culture during the Safavid era (1501-1732).

The exhibition was inaugurated a couple of days ago at the British Museum and would continue for four months.

Scores of artworks including paintings, calligraphy, China dishes, textiles and handwritten Qurans from the Safavid era were collected from 30 museums worldwide and put on display at the exhibition.

http://www.chnpress.com/news/?section=2&id=7690

[shugs]

Ancient Cylinder Seal Unearthed in Northern Iran

Tehran, March 3, 2009: Iranian archeologists have unearthed an ancient cylinder seal dating to at least 3,500 years ago in Iran+s northern Mazandaran Province.



Archeological excavations at the Kelar Mound in the north of Iran have resulted in the discovery of a cylinder seal which dates back to the Neolithic Era; it is decorated with a drawing of a goat.

“The priceless object is believed to have been used in business and trading. It was probably used as a document and an index to determine the destination for trade,” Mehdi Mousavi, head of the archeological team at Kelar Mound, said.

Further excavations and Carbon-14 studies on the relic are expected to reveal more precise information.

Oxford scientists have determined exact dates of Iran Kelar Mound by studying ancient coal and bone samples. Although many archeologists believed that the area was not older than the Iron Age, Carbon-14 studies have dated the mound to more than 6000 years ago.

http://www.chnpress.com/news/?section=2&id=7715