Identifying Iron Age Sites in the Vicinity Sialk Tappeh - Archaeological and Cultural News of the Iranian World

LONDON, (CAIS) -- In an attempt to revisit different cultural periods existed in Iran’s central plateau during late Iron Age, archaeologists have succeeded in identifying a number of historic sites dating back to 3000 years ago which would push archaeological researches which have something to do with the Iron Age in Sialk hill into a new stage.

Announcing this news, Mehrdad Malekzadeh, archaeologist and head of the team for revising studies of cultural periods of Iran’s Central Plateau during late Iron Age, told Persian service of CHN: “One of the identified historical sites is a cemetery belonging to the Iron Age near city of Natanz which is known as Milājerd hill (Aancient Mīlādgerd). Evidence shows that the historical relics which have been unearthed in the cemetery somehow resembles those which have been found in A cemetery of Sialk. Anyway, we are determined to start field researches in this cemetery which we hope to lead us to some considerable results.”

Regarding the characteristics of this newly discovered historic site, Malekzadeh added: “The area which is called Gholām hill, was identified accidentally 5 kilometres from Sialk Tappeh during the operations for widening a local road which connects Kāshān to Niāsar. Initial studies in this historic hill indicate existence of a stone architectural style similar to that which was already observed in Shamshirgāh historic site in Qom.”

Head of excavation team in Sialk Tappeh further explained that the rare phenomenon about this historic site is that while they have faced with a mono-periodic site, evidence of clay relics similar those of 6^th cultural period of Sialk and its B cemetery can be seen in the area.

“A large number of engraved bricks resembles to those of Sialk 6 which the main part of Sialk big architectural remain was decorated with have been found in the area. Such similar bricks have been also found in Qoli Darvish historic site in Qom,” added Malekzadeh.

Malekzadeh further expressed hope that with conducting archaeological excavations in Gholām Tappeh, a new season will be launched in archaeological studies about late Iron Age.

Pointing that a large number of engraved bricks have been discovered so far in Sialk Tappeh, Qoli Darvish, Shamshirgāh, and Gholām Tappeh historical sites, Malekzadeh said: “After finishing our researches, we are determined to find out the original design of these stones to publish them in a book with the title of Iron Age Engraved Bricks.”

Sialk historical site is consisted of two northern and southern ancient hills, 600 meters apart from each other, situated southwest of Kashan, Iranian Esfahan province. Sialk has also two cemeteries which date back to 3500 and 300 years ago. Based on archaeological investigations carried out by both the French and Iranian teams, 6 cultural periods were differentiated in ancient hills of Sialk.

Sialk is claimed to be the most ancient ziggurat of the world dating back to the 5^th millennium BCE. Although what has remained from this 6000-year-old ziggurat is not in a favourable condition.

Extracted From/Source*: Cultural Heritage News Agency (CHN)

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