Architectural Layers Identified in Bolaghi Gorge

(CHN) – Continuing the salvation project in Bolaghi Gorge, Iranian and Italian archaeologists could identify architectural layers of three periods from Achaemenid to Sasanid era.

A trilateral arrowhead belonging to the Achaemenid era is another recent find of the salvation activities.

Bolaghi Gorge which is believed to have been the location of the King Road and is considered part of Pasargadae landscape will sink because of the watering of Sivand Dam. The salvation project in Bolaghi Gorge started with the engagement of 8 international archeology teams more than one year ago.

“We have succeeded in discovering signs of three architectural layers from Achaemenid to Sasanid era in a residential location. This maintains the permanence of residences in the area during the time,” said Pier Francesco Calliere, head of the Italian excavation team.

“The first layer we identified, in which we discovered a trilateral arrowhead, belongs to the Achaemenid era,” he added.

Mentioning the other layers, he indicated that “due to the slight numbers of the found tiles, we have little information on the other layers, but it is probable that they can be traced back to Post-Achaemenid and Sasanid eras.”

According to him, the walls in the first layer are made of bricks but the second and thirds are constituted of stone. Also, signs of fences were found in the site, enclosing the residential area.

The 18-kilometer Bolaghi Gorge is located 9 kilometers from the world heritage site of Pasargadae and is considered part of its landscape. The Gorge is known to be the location of the most important ancient road of Iran built by order of Darius the Great, the Achaemenid Emperor.