Monday, 09 July 2001

TEHRAN -- The third phase of the excavation operation in the Marian region of Gilân Province has started, with the aim of carrying out research and scientific studies about the residents of this ancient region.

Marian, covering an area of 400 hectares, is an ancient cemetery which dates back to the Iron Age, some 3,500 years ago.

The first phase of the excavation operation was carried out some 80 years ago by a French archaeologist.

Experts believe that objects found in the cemetery indicate that people lived in this region from the 2nd millennium B.C. until the Sasanid and Islamic eras.

According to Mohammadreza Khal'atbari, the head of the excavation operation, due to special natural characteristics of the region, the tribes who entered the region in the beginning of the Iron Age chose the northern part of this region for residing.

The archaeologists emphasize that the first residents of the region were shepherds whose economy was based on animal husbandry.

The Cultural Heritage Organization has announced that due to the importance of this ancient region, the first archaeology centre of Gilan Province has been established in the Aq-Evlar region.