A Sandstorm in Iran Has Revealed the Remains of a Lost Ancient City

According to initial reports, the newly discovered ancient city occupies approximately 5,000 square meters. Experts suggest—based on early analysis—that the ancient site dates back at least to the Islamic Middle Ages (661-1508 AD), but several experts argue that it could even date back much earlier. So far, experts have recovered clay pots and structures in ruins. The region is known for numerous ‘lost’ ancient sites that have recently been discovered.

A recent storm in Iran has unearthed a series of structures believed to be part of an ancient city or necropolis. Early analyses suggest that the remains date back to the Islamic Middle Ages (661-1508 AD), but may even date back much earlier.

According to reports, authorities in the Iranian province of Kerman do not want the finding to be in any danger, so heavily armed military guards keep the place safe from potential looters.

Experts from CHTHO ( Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization) have concluded—based on preliminary studies—that the site could very well be a remnant of a historical town.

The sandstorm that thankfully revealed the ruins struck in March of 2017, revealing broken clay pots and adobe.

In addition to the structures, fragments of clay and adobe have been found. Although it has not been determined whether they are related to the ruins or if they were dragged there by storms and floods. (MEHR News Agency photo by Laleh Khajooei)

“A team of archaeologists has been dispatched to Fahraj in order to determine whether the site was used to be a necropolis or an inhabitance,” CHTN quoted Mohammad Vafaei, the director of the CHTHO provincial department, as saying on Saturday.

Archaeologists from the organization will thoroughly examine the objects found in the site and inspect the discovered ruins to get a better idea of the true antiquity of the complex, which occupies approximately 5,000 square meters.

As noted by the Tehran Times, the large and prosperous province of Kerman, home to the city of Fahraj, the region where the ancient ruins have been exposed has been a cultural melting pot over time. It is also home to rich tourist sites and historical sites, including bazaars, mosques, and caravanserai.

The area is known for having several archaeological sites. (MEHR News Agency photo by Laleh Khajooei)

“One cannot claim that an area is historical as soon as several objects appear from under the ground after storms and floods, since they might have been carried from other regions by water or storm,” Mohammad Vafaei, the head of the provincial office of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, had said earlier this week.

“It is the first time that such ruins have emerged so there is no precise data on their age and history,” he said, adding that more information will be released as excavations continue.

The ICHHTO office has requested the aid of the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, hoping that the area can be inscribed on the National Heritage List once sufficient information is gleaned from the studies to merit its inscription.

Interestingly, this ancient site isn’t the first one to be found in the region. Fahraj and Rigan in Kerman are home to numerous ancient sites. Several sites were discovered recently due to floods and are currently being analyzed by experts.

Images: (MEHR News Agency photo by Laleh Khajooei )
SOURCES: Ancient-code
Archaeologists dispatched to newly-unearthed site in southeast Iran
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