Tuesday, 24 July 2001

Sâri, Mazandaran (Mâzandarân) -- The first barrel-shaped grave of Parthian period has been discovered in the process of archaeological studies on Dâmir graveyard in Mazandaran plain.

According to an archaeologist from Mazandaran branch of Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization (ICHO), Ali Mâhfrouzi, since the barrel-shaped grave symbolizing the burials under Parthian dynasty was discovered, various objects such as stone Jewellery, dishes, and metallic knives have also been observed adjacent to it.

It is said that during the Parthian dynasty, the corpses of the dead were kept in a barrel, and their food dishes, and personal belongings were also 

buried because of their belief in postmortem life.

The graveyard covering an area covering an area of 160 by 180 square meters, is probably filed with buries corpses of Parthian era, as well as later periods before Islam.

According to the report issued by the media and information center of ICHO, some archaeologists discovered evidences of Parthian era during last year's searches in the northern and northeastern parts Sari and Behshahr cities.

Based on the recent discoveries in Damir graveyard, a new chapter in the field of archaeology is expected to be opened up in the Mazandaran Plain. Daamir graveyard is located 7 km north of Sari.