Archaeologists believe that the mounds will reveal evidence of unknown civilizations and many have never been excavated, Ebrahim Kharrazi added.

“The historical mounds of Dayeh Sheikhi and Mirabad and the mound near the Sheikh Mausoleum, as well as the Silveh mound from the early Islamic era will be gradually submerged when the filling of the reservoirs of the Silveh and Chaparabad dams in the cities of Oshnavieh and Piranshahr begins,” he explained.

A team tasked with identifying historical sites has proposed that the provincial cultural heritage department allocate a specific budget for comprehensive studies of the mounds before they are submerged, he said.

“Recent studies by archaeologists indicate that there are six mounds behind the Bukan Dam, Gholamali, Mirehbak, Kani Darvish, and Qara Gorz I, II, and III. Qara Gorz I is the main one, which dates back to 4100 to 4800 B.C.,” he stated.

Due to lack of funding, no excavations are being conducted at the historical sites of the province, he lamented.