Post-Achaemenid Constructions Discovered in Bolaghi

LONDON, (CAIS) -- Archaeologists have unearthed three collections of buildings at the ancient site of Tang-e Bolaghi near Pasargadae in Fars Province, the Persian service of CHN reported on Wednesday.

The three collections, which contain numerous units, were discovered by a joint Iranian-Polish team working alongside Japanese, French, German, Italian, and Australian archaeologists at Tang-e Bolaghi to save 130 ancient sites, which will be flooded by the Polvar River when the Sivand Dam is completed.

The dam was scheduled to come on stream on February 1, 2006, but the start-up was postponed and no new date has been set.

“Dating back to the post-Achaemenid era (333-248 BCE), the collections were discovered in an area of two hectares, and archaeologists surmise that the units were used as residences, but they are not sure,” Iranian director of the team Ali Asadi said.

Next to the collections, the archaeologists had previously discovered a cemetery, which dates back to the Sasanid dynastic era (224-652 CE), but they have not been able to determine an exact date for the collections yet.

Once part of the renowned imperial route to Persepolis and Susa, Tang-e Bolaghi also contains sites from the Neolithic and Palaeolithic periods, and the early, middle, and late Elamite era (2700-645 BC).

Experts believe that the water stored in the Sivand Dam’s reservoir will increase humidity, which will later damage the foundations of the palaces of Pasargadae. Even the shrine of Cyrus the Great is believed to be at risk.

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News Source: CHN