Achaemenid Oil-Extraction Chambers Discovered

News Category: Achaemenian Dynasty

Archeologists working in the ancient city of Dahaneh Gholaman, some 44 kms from Zabol, Sistan-Baluchestan province, have come across eight residential areas from the Achaemenid dynastic  era during the fifth round of excavations at the site.

According to CHN, the areas have tower-shaped chambers which indicated that the structures were constructed on higher grounds to protect them from seasonal floods of River Hirmand.

The historical city was first identified by Italian archeologists in 1960.

Head of the archaeological team of the Burnt City Mansour Sajjadi said, “We have managed to find four workshops in this city.“

Continued excavations near one of the workshops led to the discovery of three chambers which had industrial applications, he said adding that these spaces were probably used to grind oilseeds to extract oil for cooking purposes and for religious ceremonies.

Since Dahaneh Gholaman City’s temple was located near the chambers, archeologists concluded that the oil produced in the chambers was used in religious ceremonies.

Dahaneh Gholaman city was one of the most important capitals, as well as an industrial center, during the Achaemenid dynasty.

The city was carefully planned indicating that it was built according to architectural design.