Tehran, 6 March 2007 (CHN Foreign Desk) -- Studies on 550 stone tools discovered during archeological excavations in Konar Sandal historic site, Kerman province, indicate that they were used as defensive instruments during wars by the people of the region some 5000 years ago.

 

According to Jalal Rafifar, member of archeology team in Halil Rud region, these stone tools were discovered in a royal fortress in Konar Sandal and most probably were used by the guards protecting the fortress.

 

 “Studies on these 550 carved stones show that they were made of high-quality flint stones. They come indifferent colors including grey, white, brown, and crème,” said Rafifar.

 

According to Rafifar, these stone pieces were made very professionally. “Existence of delicate blades with parallel edges, cartridge stones, and very orderly toothed edges all indicate to the high technique used by the people of Konar Sandal for making defensive instruments,” added Rafifar.

 

He further pointed that discovery of very delicate arrowheads made of flint stones is among other stunning achievements in Konar Sandal historic site.

 

According to Rafifar this kind of instrument was mainly used for hunting goats during the ancient times. “Considering the antiquity of these tools which date back to late Calcolithic epoch (around 4500 BC), using such a high technology in making them is very astonishing. This is the first time such instruments have ever been discovered in southwest Iran although similar evidence had already been seen in Mesopotamia as well,” added Rafifar.

 

In addition to their use in wars and hunting, these delicate instruments were most probably used for agricultural activities as well.

 

Located next to Hali Rud River in the southern province of Kerman, Jiroft has come into the spotlight since early 2001. Discovery of a ziggurat and a number of inscriptions in Konar Sandal, one of the most important prehistoric sites located west of Jiroft, attracted the attention of archeologists to this area.

 

 

Soudabeh Sadigh

foreigndesk@chn.ir