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LONDON, (CAIS) -- A team of archaeologists working at the Sarab-e Mort site have completed unearthing the ruins of a manor house dating back to the Parthian dynastic era (248 BCE-224 CE). The manor house was discovered during the second season of archeological salvage operation back in February 2008.

Located near the city of Gilan-e Gharb in Iran’s western province of Kermanshah, the site is being threatened by a dam construction project.

The structure consists of sections for official ceremonies, administration, and private residence, team director Yusef Moradi told the Persian service of CHN on Monday.

Moradi described the discovery as important due to the special use of the manor and the three sections of the house and added, “No other example of this type of house has been found at the site so far.”

The house constructed of cobblestones, gypsum, and bricks measures 70x50 meters. A number of shards have also been dug up at the house.

The experts also surmise that the house was used during the Sasanian dynasty (224-651 CE).

The team was assigned by the Iranian Centre for Archaeological Research (ICAR ) also known as the Centre for Archaeological Research of Iran (CARI) to conduct salvage excavations at Sarab-e Mort, which will partially be submerged by the dam.

According to Moradi, the team has completed this season of excavations and ICAR has not applied for further operations. 

The area of Sarab-e Mort is best known for its mort (myrtle) trees. Myrtle was considered as a sacred plant by the ancient Iranians, and its leaves and fruits were used during Mithra and Anahita cultic ceremonies.

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