The young man was buried wearing a gold earring on his right ear and a silver one on his left ear, indicating he was a prominent person in his time, archaeologist Mehdi Abedini said on Monday.
The recent discovery was a big surprise for the archaeologists, since in the previous excavations only bronze and iron earrings were found, he added.
Of the fifteen graves excavated in the 2800-year old cemetery, three were different, in that they contained three skeletons with dolichocephalic (long-headed) skulls, and the gold earring was found in one of these three graves, Abedini explained.
The skeletons were covered with a layer of earthenware, and their walls were reinforced by earthenware, too, he added.
Experts have surmised that the three people belonged to a non-indigenous nation, since the inhabitants of Mazandaran at that time were a round-headed nation.
Excavations at the site will have to be carried out at a hurried pace because the cemetery and village of Lafurak, as well as eleven other villages, will be devoured by the reservoir of the Alborz Dam when it becomes operational.
RM/ML/HG
END
MNA
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