DNA of Lorestan Skeleton to be Studied

22 May 2005

An Skeleton discovered in the western province of Lorestan along with its casket, golden mask and blindfold are undergoing studies, restoration and preservation works. The D.N.A. of the skeleton is moreover to be analyzed.

After receiving reports on looting of the artifacts from farms around the capital of the province, Khorram Abad, a team of archaeologists set out for emergency excavations in the area which led to the discovery of a bronze casket and remains of a skeleton along with a golden mask and blindfold in 2004.

The bronze casket looks like a bathtub and has four handles. It measures 180x87x55 centimeters and is two to five millimeter thick.

The casket has been moved to a specialized laboratory and is right now undergoing preliminary studies and preservation works. The casket has been divided into four pieces due to the pressure of the soil throughout the years.