Snake-Men Stone Reliefs Discovered in Jiroft

Tehran, 2 February 2006 (CHN) -- Recent archaeological excavations in Kenar Sandal area in Jiroft resulted in the discovery of two stone reliefs. The reliefs depict two men with human faces but snake tails instead of legs.
“These reliefs were carved on soapstones. They are 25 by 17 centimeter in size with a thickness of about 1.5 centimeters,” said Yousof Majidzadeh, head of excavation team in Jifort.
“This is the first time that such stone reliefs of creatures that are half human and half snake have been discovered in this historical site. However, carvings of scorpion-like human beings on stones and eagle reliefs had previously been discovered in this site. These stone reliefs were carved on a flat stone, and there are 12 circles on the arms of each of them. Most probably, this flat piece of stone had an entertainment usage some 5000 years ago, something like today’s backgammon. These circles are carved around the arms and the chests of the carved figures. Similar instruments have been seen in Burnt City as well, and archeologists believe that these must have been objects built for playing games,” added Majidzadeh.
Some of these stone relics were plundered during the illegal digging of the smugglers and were taken outside the country. To bring these ancient relics back to the country, Iran has asked for an international court to redeem its stolen historical artifacts, mostly unearthed in Jiroft. According to Majidzadeh these new discoveries can be used as a proof for Iran’s claim over these relics in international courts.
Halil Rud historical site near Jiroft was one of the first places where civilization and urbanization were established. Studies on this historical site indicate that the region, especially the ancient city of Kenar-Sandal near Halil Rud, was the commercial link between Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, countries of the Persian Gulf region, and Transoxiana some 5000 years ago. So far, 120 historical sites have been discovered on the 400-kilometer basin of Halil Rud River.
A large number of stone, clay, and architectural remains from the third millennium BC were discovered during archeological excavations in the site. Illegal diggings of the smugglers in this historical site resulted in the loss of some valuable evidence. These historical treasures were then sold to museums and private collections outside the country. Therefore, Iran’s government has asked an international court to be set up to identify these relics.
Archaeologists believe that the recent discovery of the snake-men not only proves that this region was the cradle of civilization more that 5000 years ago, these historic relics can also be used as essential documents to prove Iran’s rightness in international courts.