Geophysics Experts in Bolaghi Gorge

Tehran, 29 January 2006 (CHN) -- Geophysical studies have started in Bolaghi Gorge, while archeologists have studied two and half hectare of no. 64 area in the cold weather of the winter. This area belonged to wine production workshops dating back to the Sassanid era.
“Once the rain and snow stopped, geophysical studies were resumed in the no. 64 area of Bolaghi Gorge in order to finish the process of excavations before the next raining season. Geophysicists continued their studies for four days in the severe cold weather under the supervision of Babak Aminpour. Two and half hectare of this historical site was studied during that time,” said Ali Asadi, head of Iranian excavation team in the no. 64 area of Bolaghi Gorge.
These studies were in the continuation of search to delimit the fragments of a possible defense wall found in the region. Such excavations have already been carried out in the northern area of the region in which residential units were observed. Asadi believes that these studies will help archeologists in choosing where exactly the trenches should be dug in the next season of excavation to obtain more comprehensive details and information about the no. 64 area.
This area has already been excavated by a joint Iranian-Polish team under the supervision of Ali Asadi from Iran and Barbara Kaim from Poland. The next season of excavation in this historical site is supposed to start again by the return of Dr. Kaim to Iran, which most probably will be during April/May 2006.
Bolaghi Gorge, at the location of the ancient King Road, is one of the historical sites of the Pasargadae. With the flooding of Sivand Dam which was recently built in Bolaghi Gorge, hundreds of historical relics unearthed so far would have drowned. With the cooperation of Sivand Dam authorities and Bolaghi Gorge salvation team, some joint teams from Iran and foreign countries have been busy with archeological excavations in the site to save the main remains of Bolaghi Gorge before inauguration of the dam.
Excavations conducted by the Iranian-Polish team in Bolaghi Gorge led to the discovery of structures used for wine production. Discovery of new unknown structures belonging to the Achaemenid and Sassanid periods in this historical site increase the cultural importance of the region day by day. Inundation of the dam before completing the archeological studies in the site would be an irrecoverable loss of precious items still hidden in the site.
A joint team of archeologists and experts from Iran and Germany is also about to start excavations at Bolaghi Gorge to discover clay workshops estimated to date back to the 5th millennium BC. Two burnt clay workshops have already been discovered in the area. It is believed that some 7000 years ago, Bolaghi Gorge was a center for producing burnt clays.