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.CAIS NEWS© ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL NEWS OF THE IRANIAN WORLD |
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Discovery of Second 5000-Years-Old Inscription in Western Iran
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27 July 2007 |
LONDON,
(CAIS) -- The
second ancient inscription which was carved on rock in Kaftarlou hill have been
discovered in Akhtarabad region in Shahriyar plain located in Iranian western
province of Kordestan. Due to the similarity of this writing with those
previously found in Susa clay stamps and Jiroft’s inscription, experts
estimate that this newly discovered geometrical inscription must have dated back
to at least 5000 years ago.
After
Kan Charmi inscription which was discovered previous year in north of Kordestan
province, this is the second inscription ever found in Iran-proper. Regarding
the antiquity of this inscription, Reza Moradi Ghiasabadi, archaeologist and
researcher, assrted: “Based on the signs implemented in creating this
geometrical writing and its similarity to Susa stamps, it is believed that it
must have belonged to 4200 to 4500 years ago. On the other hand, due to the rate
of oxidization, we give the possibility that the inscription must have been more
ancient.”
Pointing
out that this discovery can provide archaeologists the chance to trace the trend
of geometrical writing development in Iran, Ghiasabadi added: “This
inscription is closely resemble those ones previously discovered by Professor
Majidzadeh in Konar Sandal Hill in Jiroft historic site in Kerman province which
date back to the third millennium BCE. However, since the writing discovered in
Konar Sandal is somehow more developed than this newly discovered one, we give
the possibility that Kaftarlou inscription must have been more ancient with 5500
years antiquity.”
According
to this archaeologist, unfortunately most parts of the inscription have been
severely damaged over time and totally 10 signs which are not even in a correct
order have been identified. That is why archaeologists have faced a real problem
for documenting and decoding this ancient inscription.
Prior
to this, Walter Hintz succeeded in decoding some parts of the Susa geometrical
writing. Results achieved due to the efforts of this researcher may be used as a
guide for finding about the approximate meanings of Kaftarlou inscription.
“Designs
of animals such as goat, boar, camel, and hunting scenes can be also seen next
to this inscription. With taking a look at these designs, we can somehow get
acquainted with the environmental condition of Shahriyar plain during ancient
times and trend of domestication of animals in this region,” said Ghiasabadi.
The
initial report of this inscription is due to be released within a few weeks,
however considering the rate of damage of this historic inscription, deciphering
and preparing the final report may take several years.
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Extracted From/Source*: Cultural Heritage News Agency (CHN)
*Please
note
the above-news is NOT a "copy & paste" version from
the mentioned-source. The news/article above has been modified with
the following interventions by CAIS:
Spelling corrections; -Rectification and correction of
the historical facts and data; - Providing additional historical
information within the text; -Removing
any unnecessary, irrelevant & repetitive information.
All these measures have been taken in order to ensure that the published news provided by CAIS is coherent, transparent, accurate and suitable for academics and cultural enthusiasts who visit the CAIS website.
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"History is the Light on the Path to Future" |
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Encyclopaedia Iranica
The British Institute of Persian Studies "Persepolis Reconstructed"
The British Museum
The Royal Asiatic Society
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