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LONDON, (CAIS) -- Third season of archaeological excavations in 7000- year-old Pardis Tappeh in Gharchak Varamin, Tehran province, started by Iranian- British joint team. More than 80 percent of this historical site has already been destroyed as a result of illegal excavations in the area and activity of a nearby brick factory. Prior to this, a number of unique historical relics including pottery wheels, necklace, bracelet and jewelleries dating back to Iron Age and other historical periods had been unearthed during archaeological excavations in the area.

Announcing this news, Hassan Fazeli Nashli, director of Archaeology Research Centre of Iran's Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO) and head of excavation team of Pardis Tappeh told Persian service of CHN: "Pardis Tappeh is considered as one of the most important historical sites in Terhan province which dates back as far as 8000-year-old historic site of Cheshmeh Ali located in northeast of Tehran."

According to Fazeli Nashli, some 20 thousand US dollars has been allocated to this project, which would be a great measure for tracing different periods of history in Varamin region.

"Since important cultural evidence belonging to the Iron Age has been discovered so far in this prehistoric site during 10 days of excavations, archaeologists are hope to find some more invaluable archaeological information about Iron age in this historic site," added Fazeli Nashli.

Pointing out that archaeological experts from British universities including University of Leicester, Kingston University, and Durham University have cooperated with Iranian archaeologists in third season of excavations in Pardis historical hill , director of Archaeology Research Centre explained: "Different iron ornaments such as necklace and bracelet have been discovered so far in this historical hill which indicate the existence of life in this area during different periods of history."

He further noted that: "Discovery of a large number of clay kilns proved that contrary to previous beliefs, pottery was mass produced during Sialk II period (just prior to 4000 BCE) in this region." Mentioning that discovery of wheel pottery is one of the most important discoveries in this site, he stated: "This pottery wheel is made of a very strong mud and cylinder made of animal's horns. Evidence shows that the initial process of clay production was done by this wheel and other designs were accomplished with hand."

"Prior to this, a small clay kiln belonging to Sialk III period was discovered by Roman Grishman, French archaeologist, in Iran's central plateau, which brings into light the importance of this new discovery for archaeologists."

Mentioning that discovery of a spinning wheel and other industrial instruments in historical layers of Pardis Tappeh reveal that this area was an industrial site during ancient times, director of Archaeology Research Centre further explained: "Some radiographic tests should be conducted on these findings to find more about this historical site."

However, according to experts due to the lack of security and cooperation of authorities, 4000 square meters of this historical hill has demolished and only 3000 square meters has remained.

Lamented the fact that most parts of Pardis Tappeh historical hill has destroyed due to activities of a nearby brick factory, Fazeli Nashli explained: "Some invaluable historical information belonging to different periods of time have been lost forever and has changed to pieces of bricks due to activities of the factory in the region,"

According to director of ICHTO's Archaeology Research Centre, the perimeter of the excavated area is only 4 meters distance from the area in which the soil is removed for producing brick. "Unfortunately most parts of this historical hill has levelled to the ground," added Fazeli Nashli.

Referring to the importance of this historical hill in Iran's central plateau, Fazeli Nashli added: "Municipality and governor office of Gharckak Varamin with cooperation of authorities of ICHTO should do their best for preserving this historical hill with changing it to a museum park before its is destroyed completely,"

Pardis historical Tappeh belongs to the fifth and sixth millennium BCE and the remains of a Parthian dynastic (248 BCE – 224 CE) fortress can be seen on the upper layer on this historical hill. Cultural heritage experts strongly believes that the area has the potential to be turned into a museum park.

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