Iranian archeologists have initiated excavations with a view to the preservation of ancient sites in the western provinces of Lorestan and Ilam.
Five teams of Iranian archeologists divided the excavations into three phases and prioritized the explorations based on the exigency of their situation and condition.
"The first stage of the excavation is dedicated to prehistoric areas and may take about two months," Head of the Archeological Research Center of Iran's Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization told ISNA.
"The ongoing archeological studies in the region may disrupt the scheduled utilization of the dam," Arash Lashkari said.
Last year studies of the ancient site led to the discovery of 8,000-year-old graves, caves and stone tools. The burials practiced by these people involved the dead placed in the fetal position.
"Archeological strata were studied in order to establish a platform for archeologists to carry out comprehensive studies," he added.
Source: Press TV