7000-Year-Old Mass Grave Discovered in Bolaghi Gorge - CAIS Archaeological & Cultural News of Iranian World©

LONDON, (CAIS) -- Archaeological excavations in Bolaghi Valley historical site led to the discovery of the remains of three skeletons dating back to 5,000 BCE in a single grave in the area number 131 at the closest point to the Sivand Dam.

“Existence of three skulls and disordered bones shows that it must have been a mass grave. The discovered clays in this grave indicate that the skeletons found here belong to the Bakun era (fifth to fourth millennium BCE). This mass grave was discovered in area number 131 which is the closest archaeological site to the Sivand Dam. Two big and two small clay dishes have also been found in this grave,” said Mojgan Seyedein, Iranian head of the Iranian-German joint archaeology team in Bolaghi Valley.

Prior to this, the remains of a skeleton of a young girl belonging to the Bukan era was discovered in area number 73 also by the joint Iranian-German team. According to her, the only difference between the skeletons found recently with that of the girl is that the skeleton of the girl was discovered almost intact while the ones which were discovered in their latest excavations are fragmented.

“Just like the skeleton of the young girl which was discovered in the area number 73, the remains of these three skeletons show that they were buried in a northwest to southeast direction, and some stone and bone beads similar to those discovered earlier in the grave of the girl have been found in this mass grave as well,” explained Seyedein.

Archaeological studies are still continuing to determine the gender of these skeletons. These are the first 7,000-year-old skeletons which have been discovered during the archaeological excavations in Bolaghi Valley so far.

Iranian-German joint archaeology team has continued its excavations in Bolaghi Valley historical site since winter 2006 under the supervision of Mojgan Seyedein from Iran and Barbara Helwing from Germany. Due to the discovery of a new area near Sivand Dam which is believed to have been a settlement area belonging to the fifth millennium BCE, the team will continue their excavations until the end of May. Up until now, the joint team of archaeologists has discovered 5 clay ovens belonging to the fifth millennium BCE in area number 73.

The 18-kilometer Bolaghi Valley is located 9 kilometres from the world heritage site of Pasargadae and is considered part of its landscape. Archaeological excavations in Bolaghi Valley started when experts learned of the hazards the newly constructed Sivand Dam poses to this historical site. However, based on an agreement between Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization and the dam authorities, the Sivand Dam has to wait for the archaeologists to finish their excavations before it floods the area.