Tehran, 19 October 2006 (CHN Foreign Desk) -- After having traveled a distance of 14 kilometers, a 7-ton clay kiln discovered in Bolaghi Gorge dating back to 7000 years ago, is now resting in Pasargadae. This is the second ancient kiln from the Bolaghi Gorge that has been relocated to the nearby historic site of Pasargadae in an attempt to save as much as possible the remaining archeological evidence of Bolaghi Gorge before they are drowned by the reservoir of Sivand Dam constructed in the area.

 

According to Hassan Rahsaz, head of the salvation project to save Bolaghi Gorge’s clay kilns, transferring of the second kiln revealed more secrets about pottery making in Iran in the ancient times. “When we were scraping the clays under the kiln to lift it from the ground, we realized that 7000 years ago the kilns were made according to the type of the clay that were made in them and more likely each one of these kilns were used to bake a different type of clay,” explained Rahsaz about some of the accomplishments by his team. He also said that the ancient people used to take pits to build such kilns and built walls around them using materials such as clay stratums.

 

While lifting the second kiln, a considerable amount of burned up materials were also found. Experts of the salvation project are determined to analyze these remains to find out what kind of material was used to keep the kilns warm in 5000 BC.

 

Clay baking kilns were discovered for the first time by a team of Iranian and Italian archeologists led by Mojgan Seyedein and Barbara Helwing in Bolaghi Gorge. The team discovered 5 kilns in this historic site, two of which have now been transferred to Pasargadae. The two kilns which have now been relocated are less damaged that the other three.

 

The first one of these kilns was removed from the ground in Bolaghi Gorge and transferred to Pasargadae Research Center last August after two months of intense studies. This kiln was over two meters in height with a diameter ranging from 2.2 to 1.8 meters from the upper to the lower part.

 

Experts claim that relocation of such ancient fixed earthenware artifacts from the Bolaghi Gorge is unprecedented in the world.

 

Maryam Tabeshian

foreigndesk@chn.ir