Recent Discoveries Reveal the Rich Civilization of Hormozgan Province - CAIS Archaeological & Cultural News of Iranian World©

LONDON, (CAIS) -- Continuation of archaeological excavations in Haji Abad and six other cities in Hormozgan province which had initially started in order to identify, record, prepare the archaeology map, and register these areas in the list of Iran’s National Heritage Sites, led into finding of more historical sites and relics which will in turn reveal the rich civilization of Hormozgan province during the ancient times.

Identifying two historical areas belonging to the fourth and third millennium BCE in Haji Abad and discovery of the remains of soap stone dishes similar to those already found in the district of Halil Rud civilization are some of the main achievements of archaeologists during their recent excavations in Hormozgan province.

“Some designed potteries were discovered in the pre-historical sites of Hormozgan which are very similar to the potteries previously discovered in Susa belonging to the beginning of urbanization in this area. Some soap stones similar to the historical relics discovered in Jiroft have also been found in this area,” said Marjan Ravayi, expert of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department of Hormozgan province.

According to her, archaeologists have also succeeded in discovery of some lapis dishes and stone instruments dating back to the Chalcolithic epoch (Copper and Stone Age) and the end of Neolithic period.

Another unique discovery in Haji Abad district is a stamp on which the design of a full-length human being can be seen. Archaeologists believe that this stamp must have belonged to the Parthian dynasty (248 BCE - 224 CE).

“A large number of historical sites were discovered during different seasons of archaeological excavations in Haji Abad. Although most of them date back to the Sasanid dynasty (224-651 CE), there are some historical sites which most probably belong to the Parthian dynasty. The discovered stamp with the design of a full-length person which is believed to have belonged to the Parthian dynastic era was also discovered in one of these areas; however, more studies are needed to clarify its exact characteristics,” said Ravayi.

Considering the importance of the discovered evidence belonging to different periods of time including pre-historic, historic and Islamic periods in this district, archaeologists believe that in order to identify the civilization of the southern parts of Iran, it is essential to conduct more excavations in Hormozgan province.

Despite the fact that Hormozgan province was once home to one of the oldest civilizations of the world, there are still a large number of unknown historical sites in this southern Iranian province which have not been excavated yet.