The Second Human Design Discovered in Espidej

Tehran, 11 April 2006 (CHN) -- The second design of a human being carved on a clay dish was discovered during the fifth season of archeological excavations in pre-historic cemetery of Espidej in Sistan va Balushistan province. This clay dish which depicts a naked man was unearthed in the 5000-year-old cemetery of Espidej.
“The clay on which this figure is illustrated is made of red clay and most probably was not dried completely when the craftsman carved the design of the naked man with a reed on it,” said Mohammad Heydari, archaeologists from the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization of Sistan va Baluchistan province and head of excavation team in Espidej.
According to Heydari, the artists who made this relic tried to create a piece of art that has a symbolic message; they tried to accomplish this goal by making small holes in some parts of the clay dish. Considering the style of the design, it seems the figure’s head must have been created by the stroke of reeds on the clay dish and then the rest of the body was etched by creating some lines.
This is the second human design discovered in Espidej historical site. The first was found during the archaeological excavations in 2003 which was the design of a dancing man and woman. The rest of the discovered articles were animal and geometric designs.
“The design of the dancing man and woman is a clay relief which is called positive design, while the design of the naked man was created by making holes in the clay which is called negative design,” explained Heydari.
Finding human designs is a rare phenomenon in archeological excavations which provides archeologist with a unique and valuable chance to discover more about the art of prehistoric and historical periods.
Espidej historical city is located 25 kilometer from Zabol in the southeastern province of Sistan va Balushistan. There are two pre-historic cemeteries in the area. During the previous excavations in one of these cemeteries, a grave of a blacksmith was unearthed which dates back to 3000 BC.