Achaemenid Clay Pipes Unearthed in Bolaghi Gorge

08 May 2005

Clay pipes dating to the late Achaemenid era to the beginning of the Sassanid era have been unearthed in the historical site of Bolaghi Gorge, where multinational teams are working to save the ancient heritage before the flooding of the newly constructed Sivand Dam.

Bolaghi Gorge is located 4 kilometers from the World Heritage Site of Pasargadae in Fars province, and is believed to be the location of the King Road which was the major archaeological road of Ancient Persia. Remains dating to the cave dwelling time, to the prehistoric times up to the Islamic times, have been found there.

The discovery of the pipes came as a result of excavations by a joint team of Iranian and Polish archaeologists. Dr Barbara Kaim, from the Institute of Archeology at Warsaw University, who heads the Polish experts working in Bolaghi Gorge, sees the discovery as an extraordinary one.

“Salvation excavations at the site no. 64 led to the discovery of several pieces of gray clay pipes of 30 caliber,” explained Kaim, adding that the discovery have changed the view of archaeologists toward the site, “before the excavations, we thought we were working on a small village, but with this recent discovery, we are identifying it as a larger major village or even a small town.”

According to Iranian head of the joint team, Ali Asadi, the pipes were used for irrigation and drainage systems.

Iranian and foreign experts are carrying out a salvation project in Bolaghi Gorge, identifying so far more than 129 historical sites.