Discovery of a Neolithic Stone Dwelling in Marvdasht - CAIS Archaeological & Cultural News of Iranian World©

LONDON, (CAIS) -- Archaeological excavations in Marvdasht Plain in Fars province led to discovery of a 10,000-year-old stone dwelling near Rahmat Mountain. Archaeologists believe that an advanced technology was used in the construction of the partition walls of this Neolithic shelter.

“This stone dwelling which was discovered in the foothills of Rahmat Mountain belongs to the pre-clay era and may possibly be dated back to 12,000 years ago. There are some delicate stone partition walls in this dwelling in which a well-developed technology must have been used in order to scrap some of these partition walls,” said Mohammad Feizkhah, head of excavation team in Marvdasht plain.

According to Feizkhah, this stone shelter is located about 10 meters above the plain level. Archaeologists also believe that considering the Archaeological evidence at hand, this stone construction should have been used as a temporary dwelling by human beings some 10,000 years ago.

“Eshkaft-e Gavi (cow cave) is another shelter which is situated near this discovered stone dwelling. Therefore, considering the local dialect of the people of the region, we named this one Eshkaft-e Siahoo (black cave),” added Feizkhah.

Discovery of several temporary nomadic settlements belonging to the Achaemenid dynasty to the post-Sasanid period in this area are among other Archaeological achievements in Marvdsht plain. Even at present some nomads who pass through the Marvdasht plain set their temporary settlements in this region.

Prior to this, Archaeological excavations and geophysical studies by the joint Iranian-French team in Fars province had led to unearthing of an irrigation channel belonging to the Achaemenid dynastic era (530-330 BCE) in an area between Persepolis and the city of Estakhr in Fars province, which is believed was used to direct the water of Polvar (Sivand) River to Marvdasht Plain where the ancient palace of Persepolis is located.

Archaeological excavations in Mavdasht Plain of Fars province has originally started by a joint Iranian-French team; however, due to some problems arising in this respect, the French Archaeologists left the area and now the Iranian team has to continue the excavations by itself.