Iranian archeologists and their Japanese counterparts have launched their fourth season of joint excavations in Jalileh Mound, the biggest residential hill in the northern province of Gilan, to further their anthropological, ecological and archeological studies.

Gilan is ranked among Iran’s most important historical areas, housing inhabitants over several millenniums, making Iranian and Japanese experts keen on finding telltale signs of different lifestyles emerged in the rainy province.

“Some 20 experts are divided into 4 teams to conduct anthropological, ecological and archeological studies,” said Jebreil Nokande, head of the Iranian team.

Archeologists have so far studied Gilan’s vast cemeteries, but what makes the 4th season more significant is that they are excavating a residential area for the first time in the province.