Ardebil, Sept 17, IRNA-A six-month excavation and archaeological research at the historical site located at Qaresu River bank in Rouin Dezq Village resulted in the discovery of a military castle dating back to the Pre-Christ era.

Head of Ardebil province Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department Karim Hajizadeh told IRNA on Saturday that this historical military castle has been unearthed at a large archaic site dating back to the Bronze Age by the archaeologist of the department, Reza Rezalu.

"The unearthed castle along with the signs of past life and clay objects belong to the Bronze Age and the beginning of Iron Age (1700-550 BC).

"The objects discovered at the site provide sufficient proof that the area has been the world's most ancient hub characterized by its complicated political and social structure.

"Five hundred tombs have been found at the site, whose demolition has unfortunately have caused some problems in archaeological surveys at the site.

"A similar historical site was unearthed at the bank of Qaresu River at Pirazmiyan and Masoumabad villages last year. The artifacts discovered in the area prove that Ardebil was a major cultural, social and residential hub in ancient Iran.

The official referred to similar objects of later periods discovered in Turkey and Caucasus and the remains of social life as proof that at certain historical eras the area has been subject to tension and likely attacks by Aryans.

"The final results of archaeological surveys of the castle will be classified by the end of year and will be published," he concluded.