Tehran, 31 January 2007 (CHN Foreign Desk) -- A team of experts from Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization and University of Zanjan is to start examining 300 pieces of cloths ranging in date from the Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BC) to the Parthian dynastic era (248 BC-224 AD) which have been discovered in Chehr Abad salt mine in Zanjan province.

 

The discovered cloths are different in size, some even more than one square meter. Some of them also bear beautiful designs.

 

According to Abolfazl Aali, head of archeology team in Chehr Abad historic mine, the department of science of University of Zanjan that is known for its chemical researches, has provided the archeology team with some laboratory facilities to undertake research on these cloths.

 

During their studies, archeologists are determined to identify the textile design and the original colors of the discovered fabrics.

 

Chehr Abad salt mine in Zanjan province is one of the most prominent historical sites in Iran. Discovery of some valuable cultural evidence in Chehr Abad mine including five human bodies mummified due to natural conditions of the salt mine and have thus become known as ‘salt men’ attracted the attention of world archeologists to this historic mine. 

 

Since the bodies were mummified, their clothes have remained almost intact and the colors are largely unchanged, giving experts a chance to study them in more detail.

 

 

Soudabeh Sadigh

foreigndesk@chn.ir

 

 

Read more on Iranian salt mummies here