By Soudabeh
Sadigh
Discovery of a jar containing the skeleton of a dog in a human
grave for the first time in Gohar Tepe, northern Iran, has puzzled
archeologists. The two skeletons are dated to the 1st millennium BC.
Skeleton and belongings found
in
Gohar Tepe (Archive Photo)
Tehran, 15
November 2006 (CHN) -- Archeological excavations in Gohar Tepe,
Iranian northern province of Mazandaran, led into discovery of the skeleton of a
man belonging to the first millennium BC alongside a dog which was buried in a
jar in the same grave.
Human burials in jars have commonly been observed in
different historic sites of Iran. Similar examples of jar burials of humans have
also been found in Gohar Tepe. However, this is the first time that the
skeletons of a dog are found in a jar. This is why the new discovery has
astounded the archeologists.
Some ornaments have also been discovered with the
skeleton of the man which shows the economic wellbeing of the dead person during
his own time.
"Discovery of the skeleton of a man alongside some
pieces of jewelries including a ring and golden and bronze bracelets speaks of a
unique burial method in Gohar Tepe never seen before anywhere else in Iran. The
skeleton of this man was found next to a big jar. After the jar was opened, we
were faced with the remaining skeleton of a dog, most probably owned by this
wealthy man," said Ali Mahforouzi, head of archeology team in Gohar Tepe, to
CHN.
Although evidence suggesting the coexistence of
different social classes in Gohar Tepe had previously been identified in this
historical site, this recent discovery further confirmed that 3000 years ago
people with different social and economic strata used to live together at Gohar
Tepe.
According to Mahforouzi, three daggers and eight
arrowheads all set in an orderly fashion beside the skeleton can be taken as
further indications to the man's high social rank. Such evidence also speaks of
a special ritual practiced when burying someone in Gohar Tepe back in the
times.
The historic site of Gohar Tepe is located in the
eastern parts of Mazandaran province between the cities of Neka and Behshahr,
north of Iran. Evidence shows that from 7000 years ago to the first millenniums
BC, a lot of people lived in the region, enjoying an urban life since the third
millennium BC. Discovery of architectural structures as well as a large number
of graves with different burial methods observed in this region all point to the
existence of continual life in this region during different periods of
history.
Click here to view more images of some of the most
recent discoveries at Gohar Tepe
