Three Sasanid Cemeteries Discovered in Hormozgan - CAIS Archaeological & Cultural News of Iranian World©

LONDON, (CAIS) -- Discovery of three vast Sasanid cemeteries in Bastak historical site in Hormozgan province faced archaeologists with new dilemma about different burial methods in pre-Islamic Iran.

While most of the burials used to be done in the mountains and cliffs during the pre-Islamic especially the Sasanid era, earth burials are used in these new discovered cemeteries which also date back to the Sasanid era. Considering that this new burial method is in odds with other methods used during the ancient times, archaeologists are trying to learn more about the tradition of the people during that time.

“Discovery of these three Sasanid cemeteries is one of our most important achievements during this season of excavation. Prior to this, such similar method of earth burial was discovered in Fars province in area no. 88 of Bolaghi Gorge and also in Rahmat Mountain in Persepolis. Based on the evidence such as the surface clays and the method of construction of these graves, the cemeteries most probably belonged to early Sasanid era. Each of these cemeteries covers an area of 15 hectares,” said Ali Asadi, head of archaeological team in Bastak city.

Asadi believes the existence of pre-Islamic cemeteries with this method of burial in Bastak is very interesting and somehow surprising. “Considering that mountain and cliff burials were the most prevalent burial methods during the Sasanid dynastic era, the question is that if these cemeteries also belong to the same period of time, why was a different method used here?” added Asadi.

The city of Bastak is located in a mountainous region in the southern province of Hormozgan in Iran. The fact that the city is located in a mountainous area makes matters more complicated.

Considering the close distance of Bastak to Fars and Kerman provinces, archaeologists are looking for the traces of Halil Rud and Fars civilizations in this area which might have migrated to this area and changed the culture and tradition of the locals. On the other hand, since from the ancient times, Hormozgan province had trade relations with the Persian Gulf regional countries, they are also looking for the possible influence of the culture of these countries on the region.

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Source/Extracted From: CHN

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