Parthian Bronze Coffin with Golden Blindfold Found in Lorestan - CAIS Archaeological & Cultural News of Iran©

“These golden blindfold and muzzle Indicates that they belonged to a person from high class” said Jalal Adeli, the head of excavation group.

The shape of this 180x87x55cm coffin is similar to a bathtub with four helves. The blindfold and muzzle which were found over the skeleton was made of narrow golden layer.

“Regarding the ceramics which were found around the coffin, we guess it can be traced back to Parthian era” said Adeli.

Archeologists hope to find some designs on the coffin after removing layers of deposit.

These excavations began when a farmer informed the Cultural Heritage Organization officials that some people wander around her farm with metal detector.

“After the arrival of excavation group and urgent speculation with help of police, we finally found the coffin and its contents on February 10th” Cyrus Ebrahimi, chief of Lorestan cultural heritage, told CHN.

“Because of the probability of illegal excavations and to prevent the damage to the site, we decided not to let the news break out until the arrival of professional archaeologists group” he added.

Hope to find other ancient artifacts; a professional excavation group is currently working on the site.

Earth pressure has broken the coffin into four parts, therefore all the found artifacts were sent to laboratory of Falak-ol-aflak castle for research and restoration.

“We would find out the gender, death cause, body measures and probable disease of the person whose skeleton is found,” said Farzad Foroozanfar, the anthropologist in charge of the project.

The only bronze coffin found so far in the region, was related to Arjan treasure which belonged to Kiddin-Khutran, the Elamite king, and was excavated during the construction of Behbahan dam.

The bronze coffin will be exhibited in Cultural Heritage Week (18-25 May), after restoration.