Gharbal Biz of Yazd Dates Back to Achaemenid dynasty

10 May 2005

New round of studies in Gharbal Biz of Yazd shows that the historical site which was so far considered a Parthian legacy, dates back to the Achaemenid era.

The site which is located in the Mehriz area of the central province of Yazd is the first to undergo archaeological excavations in the province.

Previously a graveyard and a Mithraism temple, plus artifacts dating to the Parthian and Sassanid times, led the experts to identify the site as dating back to the Parthian era, but new discoveries of pottery, studies on the graveyard and structural plans of the site have made them change their view and consider the area as from the Achaemenid times.

According to head of the excavation team, Azarmidokht Esfandiari, comparison of the Gharbal Biz objects with other pottery and tools of the Achaemenid era discovered elsewhere, has made archaeologists date the history of the site back to the Achaemenid era.

The dating back of the site to some 2500 years ago is evidence of the province’s long history, where most of the previous studies have been focused on Islamic and historical sites and monuments.