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<< News >> Ancient commercial district unearthed

Submitted by coldrum on Tuesday, 22 May 2007  Page Views: 1988

Multi-periodCountry: Iran Type: Ancient Village or Settlement

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Excavations at a pre-Bronze Age mound in Iran have led to the discovery of what may be the oldest commercial district in the Middle East.

Archeologist digging at the 7,000 year-old site named the Pardis Mound south of Tehran have unearthed dozens of brick kilns, pottery wheels and hand-made spindles, said Hassan Fazeli Nashli, the head of Iran's Archeology Research Center.

Ceramic jars and necklaces were also among the ancient artifacts discovered, Nashli said.

Pardis Mound is located in the city of Varamin and is one of the most archeologically rich sites in Iran.

PressTV Iran

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Evidence of Human-Animal Joint Burial in Pardis Tepe by coldrum on Tuesday, 22 May 2007
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Evidence of Human-Animal Joint Burial in Pardis Tepe

Following accidental discovery of a cemetery belonging to Second Iron Age (some 3200 years ago) during sounding works in the vicinity of 7000-year-old Pardis prehistoric hill in Varamin, Tehran province, the excavations in this cemetery have been also started which has resulted in some interesting discoveries. Evidence shows that human and animals were buried together in this cemetery alongside some clay vessels which must have belonged to the dead.

This prehistoric cemetery has been discovered in a situation that the bulldozers of the brick factory have destroyed most parts of the cemetery. According to experts, so far they have succeeded in unearthing 5 graves during their excavations in this cemetery. Considering the importance of this historical site, archeologists are determined to continue their work for at least 20 days.

“This cemetery which dates back to the Iron Age II was accidentally discovered during excavations in the vicinity of Pardis historic hill. Excavations in this historic cemetery have been launched by digging some trenches in the area where piles of human bones existed,” said Bayrom Lori, a member of excavation team in Pardis Tepe.

According to Lori, some cultural evidence belonging to Parthian dynastic era (248 BC-224 AD) has been also discovered in these graves which show that some damages might have been taken place in this area during Iron Age by Parthian tribes.

Regarding the achieved results in this historic cemetery, Lori told CHN: “The discovered graves are in a disordered situation and no specific burial method was practiced in them. However, in most of the discovered graves, the human corpse was buried alongside an animal which must have belonged to the dead person and some clay vessels which were put under the foot of the dead.”

Experts believe that existence of remains of human bones and some domestic animals such as caw which can still be found in the area would provide them the chance to uncover some unknown facts about people’s life during Iron Age in this area.

Lori further explained that considering that this historic site is threatened with destructions caused by human beings and natural events over time, the excavations in this 3200-year-old cemetery have been started in an attempt to save it against possible damages.

According to this archeologist, pedology, plantology, osteology, chronology, and alloy testing are among the future programs in this prehistoric site which will be conducted by joint cooperation of domestic and foreign experts.

Due to lack of enough guards in Pardis Tepe, this prehistoric site has been plundered several times by illegal diggers who have posed serious harms to this area in hope to find treasures. Amir Beshkani, another member of excavation team in Pardis Tepe believes that since the area of Pardis hill has not been delimited yet, archeologists have many problems on their way for excavating this historic site. “Owners of these lands show a lot of opposition to archeological excavations in the area and not only do not cooperate with archeology team, but also sometimes sabotage salvation activities in the area,” said Beshkani.

In order to protect this historic site which contains some invaluable information about Iron Age, Beshkani believes that authorities of Varamin municipality, city council, and governor office, as well as Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization should cooperate to take tough measures in this regard.


Located in Varamin city, Tehran province, Pardis historical hill dates back to the fifth and sixth millennia BC and the remains of a Parthian fortress (248-224 AD) can be seen on the upper layer on this historical hill. Cultural heritage experts strongly believe that the area has the potential to be turned into a museum park.

http://www.chnpress.com/news/?section=2&id=7111
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Archeological Excavations in Pardis Tepe Resumed by coldrum on Tuesday, 22 May 2007
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Archeological Excavations in Pardis Tepe Resumed

Third season of archeological excavations in 7000- year -old Pardis Tepe 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 jewelries dating back to Iron Age and other historical periods had been unearthed during archeological excavations in the area.

Announcing this news, Hassan Fazeli Nashli, director of Archeology Research Center of Iran's Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO) and head of excavation team of Pardis Tepe told CHN: "Pardis Tepe 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, archeologists are hope to find some more invaluable archeological information about Iron age in this historic site," added Fazeli Nashli.

Pointing out that archeological experts from British universities including University of Leicester, Kingston University, and Durham University have cooperated with Iranian archeologists in third season of excavations in Pardis historical hill , director of Archeology Research Center 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 BC) 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 archeologist, 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 Tepe reveal that this area was an industrial site during ancient times, director of Archeology Research Center 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 Tepe 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 Archeology Research Center, 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 leveled 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 tepe belongs to the fifth and sixth millennium B.C and the remains of a Parthian fortress (248 BC – 224 AD) 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.

http://www.payvand.com/news/07/apr/1068.html
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