7000-Year-Old Mass Grave Discovered in Bolaghi Gorge

Tehran, 30 April 2006 (CHN) -- Archaeological excavations at the Bolaghi Gorge historical site led to the discovery of the remains of three skeletons dating back to 5000 BC in a single grave in the area number 131 at the closest point to the Sivand Dam. “Existence of three skulls and disordered bones shows that it must have been a mass grave. The discovered clays in this grave indicate that the skeletons found here belong to the Bacon era (fifth to fourth millennium BC). This mass grave was discovered in area number 131 which is the closest archeological site to the Sivand Dam. Two big and two small clay dishes have also been found in this grave,” said Mojgan Seyedein, Iranian head of the Iranian-German joint archaeology team in Bolaghi Gorge.

Prior to this, the remains of a skeleton of a young girl belonging to the Bacon era was discovered in area number 73 also by the joint Iranian-German team. According to Seyedein, the only difference between the skeletons found recently with that of the girl is that the skeleton of the girl was discovered almost intact while the ones which were discovered in their latest excavations are fragmented.

“Just like the skeleton of the Sivand Dam which is believed to have been a settlement area belonging to the fifth millennium BC, the team will continue their excavations until the end of May. Up until now, the joint team of archaeologists has discovered 5 clay ovens belonging to the fifth millennium BC in area number 73. The 18-kilometer Bolaghi Gorge is located 9 kilometers from the world heritage site of Pasargadae and is considered part of its landscape. Archaeological excavations in Bolaghi Gorge started when experts learned of the hazards the newly constructed Sivand Dam poses to this historical site. However, based on an agreement between Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization and the dam authorities, the Sivand Dam has to wait for the archaeologists to finish their excavations before it floods the area.