Archaeologists have unearthed eight skeletons buried within the floors of Neolithic homes at Ebrahimabad Hill, one of Iran’s ancient village sites in Abyek.
Maryam Mahdavi, head of Qazvin’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department, announced the start of a new season of scientific excavations at the site. The project, approved by the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, is led by Dr. Hassan Fazeli Nashli, a renowned archaeologist from the University of Tehran.
Ebrahimabad Hill, a prehistoric settlement, was first explored last year under Dr. Fazeli’s supervision. This excavation aims to study the development of village life and architecture in the 6th millennium BCE, document agriculture in Iran’s central plateau through plant and animal studies, and examine the spiritual and ritual practices of Neolithic and Chalcolithic communities.
Eight Skeletons and Rare Neolithic Finds Unearthed at Ebrahimabad Hill, Abyek
Hassan Fazeli Nashli, head of the archaeological excavations at Ebrahimabad Hill in Abyek, announced the discovery of valuable Neolithic remains during ongoing fieldwork at this historic site.
He explained that the site, with over 7,500 years of history, was first stratified in 2006 and contains eight meters of cultural layers. It served as a corridor connecting the central Zagros, central plateau, and northern Iran, and is one of the few ancient villages where the first farmers lived.
Last year, excavations began to study the region’s rituals, beliefs, and agricultural practices, with an initial 4×7-meter workshop established atop the hill. This year, the excavation area has been expanded to 10×10 meters due to the significance of the findings.
Fazeli Nashli noted that during the Neolithic, people buried their dead within the floors of residential homes, a distinctive cultural trait. So far, eight skeletons have been uncovered from rooms measuring about 2×3 meters, which appear to have been well-organized family living spaces.
He added that this season’s discoveries are exceptional, providing new insights into the lifestyle, beliefs, and social structure of Neolithic communities in the region.
