Archaeological excavations of the Achaemenid dam of Didegan (Bostan Khani) in Mashhad-e Morghab district, a remarkable example of architectural structures of the Achaemenid period, were carried out to identify and research various parts of the dam, such as its stone architectural structures.
According to Aria Heritage report and the public relations of the cultural heritage and tourism research institute, on February 27 Hamid Reza Karami, a Ph.D. student in Archeology at Bu Ali Sina University and an expert at the Pasargad World Heritage Site, February 27 said at the second scientific meeting of the 19th Archaeological Congress: “and also, knowing and studying the core and outer layers of the dam, in order to prepare a map and the know-how of the design and built of the dam and the related structures, which were badly damaged in several parts by exploiters, with the purpose of organizing its repair, was the main objective of the excavation of the Didegan Dam.”
Karami said: “Archeological excavations of the Didegan Dam provided us with valuable data related to dam construction engineering and the management of water resources during the Achaemenid period.”
He added: Although a major part of this invaluable structure has been destroyed due to floods and human destruction, but we were able to increase our knowledge about the technology used to build dams and architectural structures in this period of history, and scraping work was done in some parts, despite huge amount debris, in order to gain as much data as possible.”
Stating that the remains of the architectural structures excavated indicate the precise design and the proper location of the dam and its associated structures in the valley, he added: “The architectural style and stone carving reflects the architectural traditions of the early Achaemenid period, especially the time of Darius the Great.”
In the end, Karami expressed hope that they will be able to investigate other parts of the dam in the upcoming phase, in order to obtain comprehensive and valuable data related to the method and engineering of the construction of the Achaemenid dams and related structures.
The 10th excavation season of the joint Iranian-Italian archaeological excavations in the Brick Mound
Alireza Askari Chavardi, an academic member of Shiraz University, explained the program of the 10th season of the joint Iranian/Italian archeological excavations at the brick mound in Parseh, Fars province, from the palace up to the city, in 2020. He added: “The findings of this season were 4 pieces of enameled bricks with cuneiform writing carved on them. These bricks are part of the excavations (digging No. 6) in the western side of the south-east porch.”
He added: “It seems that there was a cuneiform inscription on the affixed facade of the western wall of the south-east porch, pieces of which due to the destruction of the structure, were buried in the debris in this part of the porch”.
Neolithic area of Touq Tappeh in Neka, Mazandaran
Rahmat Abbasnejad Sorasti, Associate Professor, Department of Archeology, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Mazandaran University, Babolsar, said about the archeological activities in this area: “The weakness of the layers of copper, stone, bronze, and iron, as well as the fragile layers of recent periods, has made Touq Tappeh to be considered more as a Neolithic area based on this excavation.”
He added: “This place is the first excavated Neolithic site in the eastern parts of Mazandaran and the discovery, recording of pottery finds, stone artifacts, environmental and plant data and periodic examples in this excavation have been done properly”.
The second season of the archeological excavation of Shahneh Poshteh Cemetery in Babol
Hassan Fazeli Nashli, a professor at the University of Tehran, explained the process of this excavation and said: “As a result of the study of a total of 16 trenches created in the Shahneh Poshteh cemetery, the remains of 63 human skeletons have been found, 31 of which were identified during scientific archeological excavations and recorded scientifically.”
He regretted that illegal diggers had destroyed the remains of 32 other human skeletons due to black marketing activities. Later, the excavation team examined the graves and found the remains of human skeletons and sometimes burial objects. “11 women, 11 men, 8 children and 6 adults (whose gender could not be identified due to lack of gender identification parameters).”
He also said: “28 cases of human remains could not be identified by age and sex because smuggling excavations severely damaged them.”
Documentation of the middle paleolithic site of “Multi-Tree” in Hormoz Island
Sepehr Zarei, an expert from the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Hormozgan Province, explained the activities carried out to document the middle paleolithic site of Multi-Tree in Hormoz Island, Hormozgan province. He said: “Up till now, all the findings of Hormoz Island belonged to the Islamic period. Results of the preliminary study of the Multi-Tree site, for assessment of the site’s capacity for future field work has made it clear that the history of human presence on the island needs to be reviewed.”
He added that the stone industry of the multi-tree complex is chip-based and that the mother rock and the Luvalva tranche are typical examples of this complex, based on which the complex can be attributed to the Middle Paleolithic period. “The Pleistocene on the island confirms the importance of the Strait of Hormoz in the Paleolithic archeology of the Persian Gulf and the southern coast of Iran.”
Excavation with the purpose of removing debris and making the Manijeh Anzal horoscope in Sar-e-pol-e-Zahab readable
Farzad Mafi, Assistant Professor, Department of Archeology, Islamic Azad University, Abhar Branch, explained about the preliminary report of the first season of excavation and debris removal in order to make the Manijeh Anzal horoscope readable: “After removing the debris and making the script readable parts of the structure can be seen more clearly. 25 rooms have been built in the southeast corner, and porticos have protected 23 rooms in the northwest corner and the entrances of the rooms from direct sunlight.”
He added: “According to previous researches and various theories that have been proposed about the use of the structure, such as caravanserai or residence or a kind of military barracks, or even a preliminary structure or a ritual place related to the late Sassanid and early Islamic period, it is necessary to give a final and definite opinion.
Fardeqan: A newly discovered Sassanid fire temple in Farahan, Markazi province
Mohsen Karimi, a Ph.D. student in archeology at Mohaghegh Ardabili University, an expert at the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism of Markazi Province, said: “Preliminary field study on the Fardeqan structure shows that with respect to its history, the limits of the historic castle is the oldest structure in the village, i.e., the first building of Fardeqan was created inside a castle and the structures in the castle fence are the oldest structures in the village.”
He added: “In terms of historical geography, Farahan in the late Sassanid period, and the beginning of the Islamic period were considered as part of Hamedan, and for certain reasons the fire temple was built in this area. At the same time, suitable geographic and natural location of Fardeqan village was one of the important reasons for building this fire temple. And this turned this village into one of the religious centers in the Sassanid period.”
Archaeological excavations of Gerd Ashvan in the modern Mesolithic era
Mahnaz Sharifi, assistant professor of archeological research institute referred to the excavation of the second phase of Gerd Ashvan belonging to the copper and modern Stone Age and said: “On the whole, Gerdashvan hill represents the copper and new Stone Age, and archeological excavations will give us important information about cultures of the Zab region.”
She stated that this area has four phases of brick architecture, which is interesting, he added: “In general, from the perspective of the landscape and natural structure, Zab Basin is one of a series of natural and parallel corridors that make it possible for residents of parts of the northwest to connect with other highlands.”
She added: “In general, Gerd Ashvan is a wide and high hill in the basin of Zab and has a thick deposit of copper and stone period, and due to this, this area is known as one of the key points of the northwestern basin, so it is important to address it.”
Archaeological study and identification of Herat Dam
Morteza Khanipour, Ph.D. in Archeology and Freelance Researcher, referring to the study and identification of archeology in Herat Dam, said: “A total of 109 works from the Neolithic period to the Late Islamic period were identified in the study and identification carried out for historical and cultural research of Herat Dam in Tojardi village and part of Fathabad village.”
According to this archaeologist, the oldest known work in the dam area is related to the Bakun culture with buff potteries, and the most prominent of which is the Mauro area.
Archeological excavations for making the palaces No 2 and 3 and the outer fence of Chogh Zanbil readable
Mahdi Alipo, from the Chogha Zanbil and Haft Tappeh World Heritage Sites, explained the process of archeological excavations to read the complex of palaces No. 2, 3 and the outer fence of Chogha Zanbil, saying: ” In the past few years, by forming an archeological team in the Chogha Zanbil world heritage site, decisions have been made in the archeological field, which briefly include preparation of accurate and up-to-date maps of the entire city, identifying weak sections in need of excavation and emergency restoration, answering archaeological questions, and conducting research activities.”
He added: “In line with these goals, a map of the area was made, and the two palaces No. 2 and 3 were identified as abandoned and demolished structures. Considering restoration of Palace No. 2 and also restoration work on fence No 3 were determined.”
Archaeological study and identification of Somar oil field, Qasr-e Shirin
Mohsen Zeiniavand, a Ph.D. student in Archeology, University of Tehran, said about the archeological survey and identification project of Somar, Qasr-e Shirin oil field: “The oilfield area In addition to being considered as an intermediate zone between lowlands and highlands, it has rich pastures with a permanent river that is very valuable for locating human groups, especially nomads.”
He reminded: “These features suggest that we may encounter interesting ancient habitats, although the archeological team did not cover the area well, and our focus was more on observations by car and satellite imagery.”
