“The skeleton was unearthed in a squatting position during excavations in three graves at a cemetery, which has been recently discovered by the team,” Mohammad-Taqi Ataii added.
An intact pottery work was also discovered beside the skeleton of the adult man, he said.
“The skeleton probably dates back to Sassanid era (226–651 CE). Because Zoroastrianism was the main religion of the Sassanids and burials were not common among the Zoroastrians, the identification of such graves and more excavations are absolutely necessary,” Ataii noted.
Archaeologists can amass a great deal of information about the lifestyles, social conditions, religious practices, and many other aspects of past eras through studying their cemeteries and graves, he added.
The joint team, which has been assigned to save artifacts and gather information on the prehistoric sites of Tang-e Bolaghi, has already identified over 40 graves at the cemetery.
Alongside Iranian experts, teams of Italian, Polish, Japanese, German, and Australian archaeologists have been assigned to save 129 ancient sites at Tang-e Bolaghi, which will soon be flooded by the waters of the reservoir of the Sivand Dam.
A significant part of Iranian history will be devoured by the dam, which is scheduled to become operational in March 2006.
MMS/HG
End
MNA