Tehran, 30 September 2006 (CHN Foreign Desk) -- Geophysical studies by a joint group of archeologists from Iran and Britain on the remaining parts of the Great Wall of Gorgan in the southern coasts of the Caspian Sea, northern Iran, led into the discovery of the extent of the Wall in the Sea. This part of the wall was buried in sediments as a result of the advancement of the sea over years.

 

Calling the second season of excavations by the joint Iranian-British archeology team a success, Hamid Omrani, head of the team of archeologists announced that in addition to the extent of the wall which was discovered at a depth of one meter of the Caspian Sea surface, buried in sediments, their geophysical studies in the area also revealed 18 brick kilns belonging to the Sassanid dynastic era in Iran (224–651 AD).

 

Omrani also said that the team was able to identify an architectural style in one of the many caves dug into the wall. These caves have been numbered by archeologists and are referred to by their numbers. “Our geophysical studies on the interior of cave number 5 did not lead us anywhere as it was destroyed by illegal diggers. However, we succeeded in identifying the interior architectural design of cave number 4 which is located in Malaay Sheikh Village,” said head of the excavation team of the Great Wall of Gorgan. He further added that the archeologists could find several earthenware objects in the cave as well.

 

Discovery of fragmented clay and glass vessels and two earthenware tallow-burners are among other achievements by the Iranian-British archeology team in Gorgan.

 

Great Wall of Gorgan is the most ancient wall in Iran, constructed to prevent attacks by The Hephthalites from northern regions of the country. Extending for 200 kilometers, it is the second most extended wall in Asia after the Great Wall of China. Some archeologists believe that the two historical walls were constructed simultaneously.

 

Studies on this historic wall originally started with the aim of finding the political and social significance of the wall during the Parthian and Sassanid dynastic periods. Examining the influence of the wall on the architectural style and social beliefs of the inhabitants of the region is also another goal behind this season of archeological excavations in the region.

 

 

Maryam Tabeshian

foreigndesk@chn.ir