|
The
third season of archaeological excavations in the
historical site of Yeri City in Ardabil province resulted
in the discovery of 9000-year-old flint stones. It is the
first time that traces of flint stones from pre-historic
periods of Iran have been discovered.
During the Neolithic age, due to the increase of
temperature, environmental circumstances provided human
beings with greater food resources. Within this period
which dated back to 9000 years ago, human beings with the
use of defence and hunting instruments could set up
permanent dwellings and residences and made considerable
progress in making different tools such as dragger, arrow,
and using flint stone.
“Discovery of tools made of flint stone in Iran is being
regarded an important event in the field of archaeology,
because no flint stones belonging to the prehistoric epoch
were ever discovered in the country,” said Alireza
Hazhbari Nobari, archaeologist and head of the excavation
team in Yeri City.
“It is probable that the origin of the tools is Minor
Asia or Caucasus; if so the relation between the region
with Caucasus and the Minor Asia within the Neolithic
epoch will be approved,” added Nobari. However, Nobari
notes that due to the existence of a volcano in the
region, it is also possible that the stones belong to the
same area.
The excavations indicate that the prehistoric inhabitants
of the region used flint stones for making war and hunting
tools. This stone has been identified in the layers of
Neolithic epoch (about 9000 years ago) in Yeri City
region.
Experts of ancient tools and instruments are right now
carrying out researches on the discovered stone equipments
in Qusha Tepe belonging to the Neolithic epoch to identify
their origin. The Neolithic layer in the area of Yeri City
plain was identified underneath the Iron Age (3500 to 2550
years ago), Bronze Age (5000 years ago), and Copper and
Stone ages (7000 years ago) layers.
“The consecutiveness of these layers indicates the
existence of a continual life and residence in the
region,” explained Nobari.
Based on the condition of the layers, Nobari added that
the periods had become extinct under natural conditions
and there is no evidence of abnormal disasters in the
area.
The stratigraphy of the first layer of Qusha Tepe which
was a cemetery belonging to the Iron Age was carried out
during the first season of excavation in Yeri City. The
cemetery has been completely plundered and today just the
architectural structure of the graves is remaining.
During the stratigraphy of the third season of excavations
in Yeri City the layers belonging to the Bronze Age, and
the transitional from Bronze Age to the Copper and Stone
ages and the layers of the Neolithic epoch were
identified.
During the last season of excavation in the plain of Yeri
City, some articles such as gold and bronze charms
including earrings, tassels, rings, ornamental articles
from glass paste, and different kinds of azure and
turquoise beads and opals were unearthed.
The 400-hectare historical site of Yeri City is situated
near Pirazman village in the vicinity of Meshkin Shahr in
the northwestern province of Ardabil. The region consists
of three areas: a temple, a fortress, and Qusha Tepe
plain. The temple and the fortress belong to the Iron Age,
and Qusha Tepe plain dates back to the Neolithic epoch.
Top
of Page
Source: CHN
|
