Skeleton of a woman from the 1st millennium BC,
statuette of a goat, a crook cane in the shape of a lizard, and several other
objects were found in a grave in Gorgan which speak of the high social class of
the woman buried in there.
Tehran, 1 October 2006 (CHN) -- Archeological excavations in
the runway of what is to become Gorgan’s airport and the nearby historic hill
known as Narges Tepe in the northern Iranian province of Golestan led into
discovery of a skeleton belonging to a woman from the first millennium BC. In
addition, archeologists were able to unearth the effigy of a goat as well as a
crook cane in the shape of what looks like to be a lizard from this grave. The
woman was found buried in a squat position while the cane was under her left
arm.
Calling the recent discoveries “extraordinary,” Ghorban-Ali
Abbasi, head of the excavation team of Narges Tepe said: “In addition to the
statuette of the goat buried under the skeleton’s left arm, we found a crooked
cane in the shape of a lizard. Such an object was never reported to have been
found anywhere else in the country.”
The discovered statuette has a long curved horn connected to
the back of the figurine while the statue of a bird is seen sitting on the
goat’s horn.
According to Abbasi, discovery of different bronze
ornamentations such as necklace, earrings, and hairpin in the grave of this 3000
year-old skeleton made archeologists conclude that the grave belongs to a woman
from a high social position. He also said that the woman is wearing wrist
bracelets which are connected to rings through chains.
Archeologists also unearthed an object in the shape of a
six-petal flower made from natural tar as well as a stone spindle next to the
skeleton.
Last week, more than 24 foetal burials were discovered by the
archeologists under the airstrip of what is going to turn into Gorgan's airport
while trying to save the remaining historic evidence of the area. The extent of
the damage caused by the construction of the airport will also reach the nearby
Narges Tepe which is believed to date back to some 7000 years ago. That is why
excavations in this area were speeded up which led into discovery of 40
skeletons, some architectural remains and earthenware jars.
Second season of Narges Tepe emergency archeological
excavations focuses primarily on the area in which the airport is being
constructed.
