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LONDON, (CAIS) -- The first season of archaeological excavations in the Parto-Sasanian city behind Salman-e Farsi dam in Iranian Fars province has been wrapped up with unearthing fifty six graves belonging to post Achaemenid period (333-248 BCE), Parthian (248 BCE-224 CE) and Sasanian (224-651 CE) dynastic eras, as well as a number of Sasanian industrial centres in the eastern side of the city.

Announcing this Alireza Jafari Zand, head of excavation team behind Salman-e Farsi Dam told Persian service of CHN: “A number of these graves have already been plundered but some of them were plundered by local people when they noticed the graves will be submerged by inundation of Salman-e Farsi Dam.”  

In spite of plundering and severe damages already caused, a large number of objects have been unearthed in these graves which show the close relation of this region in Fars province with the Persian Gulf. According to Zandi, most of the graves have been looted since mid-1980s.  

“A large number of necklaces made from shells which show the trade relation of this region with the Persian Gulf,” explained Jafari Zand.

Referring to one of the prominent shells found in these graves, he said: “Design of the face of a man belonging to the post-Achaemenid era was engraved on one of these shells. This sell resembles to those already found in Shamsi archaeological site in Khuzestan province belonging to first century CE.”

Regarding the other characteristics of these graves, head of excavation team he said: “These low-depth graves were dug in rocks. In this burial method, a hole was created in the rock and then the grave was marked by putting small and big stones in the area. The hole was covered with a small amount of mortar on which the corpse was put and then it was filled up by stones.”

During their excavations in eastern side of this Sasanian city behind Salman-e Farsi Dam, archaeologists have also confronted with a number of industrial workshops in the area including clay kilns and forges. Considering the architectural style of these industrial sites, archaeologists have concluded that this area must have been an industrial site. 

“Three clay kilns and forges were found in these sites which have a very systematic structure and slopping corridors which were used for passing water. Evidence of this ancient site reveals that the area was considered for constructing industrial sites in the area”, asserted Jafari Zand.

He cincluded that: “Direction of winds in this area of Fars province is from west to east. This is why the eastern side was selected for setting up industrial centres in order to prevent fire.”

The next season of archaeological excavations behind Salman-e Farsi Dam will commence in September.

Currently, Islamic Republic’s Ministry of Power has promised not to fill up the reservoir and keep the level of water according to what has been agreed upon with Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization until the archaeological excavations in the Sasanian city behind the dam come to an end.

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