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LONDON,
(CAIS) -- Recent archeological excavations in Kenar-Sandal area in Jiroft resulted in the discovery of two
stone reliefs. The reliefs depict two men with human faces
but snake bodies; English service of CHN
reported Thursday February 02.
“These reliefs were carved on soapstones. They are 25 by
17 centimeter in size with a thickness of about 1.5
centimeters,” said Professor Yousof Majidzadeh, head of excavation
team in Jifort.
“This is the first time that such stone reliefs of
creatures that are half human and half snake have been
discovered in this historical site. However, carvings of
scorpion-like human beings on stones and eagle reliefs had
previously been discovered in this historical site. These
stone reliefs were carved on a flat stone, and there are
12 circles on the arms of each of them. Most probably,
this flat piece of stone had an entertainment usage some
5000 years ago, something like today’s backgammon. These
circles are carved around the arms and the chests of the
carved figures. Similar instruments have been seen in
Burnt City as well, and archeologists believe that these
must have been objects built for playing games,” added
Majidzadeh.
Some of these stone relics were plundered during the
illegal excavations of the smugglers and were taken
outside the country. To bring these ancient relics back to
the country, Iran has asked for an international court to
redeem its stolen historical artifacts, mostly unearthed
in Jiroft. According to Majidzadeh these new discoveries
can be used as a proof for Iran’s claim over these
relics in international courts.
Halil Rud historical site, located near the city of Jiroft
in Kerman Province, was one of the first places where
civilization and urbanization were established. Studies on
this historical site indicate that the region, especially
the ancient city of Kenar-Sandal in Halil Rud historical
site, was the commercial link between Afghanistan,
Pakistan, Tajikistan, countries of the Persian Gulf
region, and Transoxiana some 5000 years ago. So far, 120
historical sites have been discovered on the 400-kilometer
basin of Halil Rud River.
A large number of stone, clay, and architectural remains
from the third millennium BC were discovered during
archeological excavations in the site. Illegal excavations
of the smugglers in this historical site resulted in the
loss of some invaluable evidence. These historical
treasures were then sold to museums and private
collections outside the country. Therefore, Iran’s
government has asked an international court to be set up
to identify these relics.
Archeologists believe that the recent discovery of the
snake-men not only proves that this region was the cradle
of civilization more that 5,000 years ago, these historic
relics can also be used as essential documents to back Iran’s
claims in international courts.
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Source: CHN
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