Archaeologists have uncovered a historical iron ingot and a furnace featuring a water-blast system at a sponge iron smelting workshop site in Masuleh.
Yusef Salmankhah, head of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department of Gilan Province, reported that the ingot had been prepared for export along the route from Masuleh to Kamadol. The nearby discovery of the water-blast furnace offers new evidence about the historical and industrial landscape of Masuleh.
Salmankhah highlighted that this discovery underscores the significance of ironworking activities in Masuleh’s cultural heritage and reflects the presence of both local and wider regional industrial and trade networks.
The head of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department of Gilan Province highlighted that the recent archaeological findings could provide valuable insights into the production and trade of iron ingots and tools in the region, information that will be incorporated into efforts to register the Masuleh cultural landscape as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Yusef Salmankhah announced the creation of a specialized working group of archaeologists and interdisciplinary experts, which is currently examining the newly discovered iron ingots in greater detail within the Masuleh cultural landscape.
According to ISNA and the Gilan Cultural Heritage public relations office, Salmankhah noted that archaeologists have identified evidence of a furnace equipped with a water-blast system near the ingot site. This suggests a variety of furnace designs and functions within the Masuleh landscape. Experts believe this furnace may have been used to produce the discovered ingot, a hypothesis that will be tested and verified through laboratory analysis and further research.
Salmankhah also expressed gratitude to the local community for their active participation in cultural initiatives, emphasizing that by expanding collaborative opportunities and providing proper education, a solid foundation can be created for preserving cultural heritage and passing it on to future generations.
