|
 LONDON,
(CAIS) -- Nine seasons of archeological excavations
in the graves of Burnt City Historical Site, located in
Sistan va Baluchestan Province, led to discovery of clay
stamps in the graves of women indicate that the women were
in charge of managing the economy of their families and
played important roles in the society around 3,000 BC.
“Enormous family clay stamps were discovered during the
past eight seasons of excavations in Burnt City, most of
which were found in the women’s graves. These stamps
were used as family insignia. The 9th season of excavation
also led to the same results,” said Dr. Mansoor Sajjadi,
head of archeological excavation team in Burnt City.
On the types of the discovered clay stamps, Sajjadi
pointed out that “the clay stamps found in different
historical sites so far are generally categorized in two
forms of cylindrical and flat stamp shapes. The discovered
stamps in Burnt City are of the flat type, and were used
as the family insignia. These stamps were applied just for
family affairs and were different from the state
stamps.”
Sajjadi also stressed that, “Discovery of the clay
stamps in the graves of women may not be used to claim
that the society of that time was a matriarchal one. The
stamps were not being used in qualitative control of
economy in the society and there have been insignificant
signs of personal or family stamps on the goods stored in
storage rooms. However, it can safely be said that women
were in charge of controlling the economy of their
families.”
Burnt City, situated in Sistan va Baluchestan Province,
southeast of Iran, is one of the most important
pre-historic sites of the country. Nine seasons of
archeological excavations in the site indicate that Burnt
City was an important center of civilization and trade
some 5000 years ago. Burnt City is regarded as a crucial
historical site in the eastern Iranian plateau.
Some unique relics such as the animated figure of a wild
mountain goat (Capra Aegagrus also known as 'Persian
desert Ibex') on a clay barrel, which is believed to be the first
animation work in the history of the world, and a very
unique backgammon, which is also believed to be the oldest
one in the world, have been discovered in this historical
site during the archeological excavations.
|
