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CAIS ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL NEWS© ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL NEWS OF THE IRANIAN WORLD |
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Discovery of Number of Sasanian Earthenware in Farafar Historical Site
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24 August 2006 |
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Mehr-Pādiān Fort in Mehriz (Click to enlarge) |
LONDON, (CAIS) -- Iranian archaeologists have discovered a number of earthenware in Farafar (Farāfar), an ancient site close to Harafteh Village (the ancient Frāftar / Frāfar) of Mehriz County in the Yazd Province; dating back from 3rd century CE and to the early post-Sasanian period (651-850).
“The archaeologists are engaged in a survey of the site, and the initial research has shown that the discovered earthenware dates back from 3rd century CE to post-Sasanian period (651-850 CE)”, said Ali Hosseini, the director or Mehriz Archaeological Centre, speaking to Persian Service of CHTN (Cultural Heritage and Tourism News Agency) on Wednesday.
He added, “there is a possibility that there is presence of cultural remains from Sasanian and Arsacid dynastic eras (248 BCE - 651CE) in this area”.
Harafteh is located in the middle of the Fōhraj and Khūdīvak deserts, and as a result of drought in the past few decades the area has become semi-deserted.
According to historians, Harafteh Village or the ancient “Frāftar”, was one of the locations that Iranian and Arab armies in 7th century faced each other in a bloody battle, and as a result the village was pillaged and destroyed by the Arab aggressors. The village was destroyed and reconstructed time and time again in past few centuries, and the only surviving monument is a fortress, which dates back to the post-Safavid era.
Mehriz, in ancient times was referred to as Mehrījerd, Mehrīgerd and Mīthrāgīrd (Mithra Gathering) which possibly originated from Mīthrākert (from Mid. Pers. kardag < kart, kert) meaning the State of the Land of Mithra. According to local folklore the city was constructed for Mehrnegār, one of the daughters of the Sasanian king of kings Khosrow I, Anōshag-ruwān (the immortal soul – r. 531-579 CE).
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"History is the Light on the Path to Future" |
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Encyclopaedia Iranica
The British Institute of Persian Studies "Persepolis Reconstructed"
The British Museum
The Royal Asiatic Society
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