Tehran, 27 September 2006 (CHN Foreign Desk) -- A group of archeologists from University of Oxford will come to Iran in a near future to cooperate with Iran’s Archeology Research Center in studying the discovered salt men and the other historical relics which were found in Chehr Abad salt mine in Zanjan.

 

Samples of these salt men and their belongings including their clothes had previously been sent to Oxford and Cambridge universities to be dated by implementing genetics studies and DNA analysis. The results showed that the salt men belong to the Achaemenid (550-330 BC) and Sassanid (224-651 AD) dynastic periods.

 

“Recently, some archeologists and experts from Oxford University proposed to Iran’s Archeology Research Center a joint research on the discovered salt men. This proposal is currently being studied by the Center for a final approval,” said Abolfazl Aali, head of the excavation team in Chehr Abad mine. 

 

Aali believes that cooperation between experts will promote the level of studies. Furthermore, considering that Chehr Abad is one of the most unique historical sites in the world, using the experiences of archeologists who have carried out researches in other similar sites will provide be beneficial.

 

According to Aali, in addition to the discovered five salt men in Chehr Abad mine, some invaluable cultural and historical evidence have also been discovered in the region, making this historical unique in the world. 

 

Archeologists have so far been able to discover five mummies, referred to as “salt men” in Chehr Abad salt mine. Carbon 14 test results revealed that the first two salt men belong to the Sassanid era, while the last three are dated to the Achaemenid period, some 500 years earlier.

 

The first discovery of salt men and their belongings in Chehr Abad mine of Zanjan province dates back to some ten years ago. They are among rare mummies discovered around the world that are mummified as a result of natural conditions. Natural mummies are categorized into three groups which include the ones mummified by ice, like the Italian iceman, those by salt, and those mummified in swamps.

 

Chehr Abad salt mine in Zanjan province is one of the most prominent historical sites in Iran. Discovery of some valuable cultural evidence as well as five mummies, known as salt men, in Chehr Abad mine attracted the attention of world archeologists to this historic mine.

 

Cooperation of British experts with their Iranian counterparts will uncover more secrets about the mysterious mummies of Zanjan.

 

 

Soudabeh Sadigh

foreigndek@chn.ir