Nomadic settlements found in Western Iran

London, Mar 19: An archaeological team has discovered architectural remains and earthenware dating back to Parthian and Sasanian dynasties in western Iran.

The findings are part of the first season of archaeological research in Lusteh and Hadi-Abad, according to the Persian service of the Aryan Heritage News Agency (Aria).

"The archaeological research revealed that there are nomadic settlements during the Parthian and Sasanian dynastic eras in the area near the Azad Dam", announced Leila Khosravi, the head of the archaeological research team.

"To this date, no research has ever carried out about the Iranian nomads in this part of the country during the Partho-Sasanian period," she added.

According to Khosravi, "Jelingi ware, an engraved Parthian pottery which is typically produced in the West of Iran was discovered here for the first time."

"Jelingi-ware has never been found in the Kordestan province that was used by nomads during the Middle and Early Parthian eras, since nomads preferred inexpensive and rustic potteries," she added.

Along with the jelingi-ware, archaeologists have also discovered crocksand saucepans with some containing burnt materials, as well as animal bones that were sent to a lab for further examinations.

With regard to the architectural remains, Khosravi said, "Ashlars were used in the foundations and walls were erected on the top using mudbricks. We have also found some sections of walls in both sites."

"Stratigraphical study shows the population was on the increase in this area during the Parthian dynastic era. This could be explained as the result of the lack of security in the western edges of the empire, especially near the Euphrates. Therefore, people may have decided to move to safer areas and towards the empire's heartland," she said.

"We also have identified Parthian settlements in the mountainous and impassable areas of the province," she added.

ANI