Over 500 ancient metal artefacts have recently been discovered during an archaeological excavation on the Bazgir Tappeh in Gorgan Province in northeastern Iran.
The artefacts, all of which are made of copper, comprise weapons, farming tools, drug tubes and pans, which date back to about 1800 years ago, Gorgan Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department director Fereidun Fali told the Persian service of IRNA reported on Saturday.
The artefacts are comparable to relics previously discovered in archaeological excavations on Gorgan’s Turang Tappeh and the Tappeh Hesar of Damghan in northern Semnan Province, and several ancient sites in Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, he added.
“Ruins of a large Parthian castle built of 37x37 centimetre mud bricks, which are similar to ruins previously discovered at the Turang Tappeh and the Narges Tappeh, have also been unearthed in the upper stratum of the site,” Fa’ali said.
In addition, the archaeological team currently working at site has discovered a number of grey and red earthenware items that dates back to ca. 300 bce based on carbon-14 dating.
In the lower stratum, they have also found a number of legged earthenware dishes of the Achaemenid dynastic era. The artefacts are similar to the pottery first unearthed at an archaeological site near the town of Aq-Qaleh in northern Golestan Province.
The diversity of the artefacts indicates that the region had enjoyed brisk commerce in ancient times.
Covering an area of two hectares, the Bazgir Tappeh is located near the village of Bazgir (bāzgir), about four kilometres north of the city of Minudasht.
Source: Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies (CAIS) [February 02, 2011]