TEHRAN – Iranian archaeologists have recently unearthed vestiges of architectural elements, potteries and stone tools, which are estimated to date from the Iron Age, IRNA reported.

The findings were revealed through a survey across the centuries-old Sardar Castle located in Bukan, northwestern province of West Azarbaijan.

“So far, the excavated objects in this stratigraphy analysis includes Iron-Age pottery fragments, animal bones, a stone tool, a piece of bronze rod, and small and large-sized jars,” said archaeologist Yousef Hassanzadeh who leads the team.

According to Encyclopedia Iranica, the term Iron Age in Iran is employed to identify a cultural change that occurred centuries earlier than the time accorded its use elsewhere in the Near East, and not to acknowledge the introduction of a new metal technology.

“Iron artifacts, in fact, were unknown in Iran until the 9th century BC,” the encyclopedia suggests.

Bukan and its surroundings embrace variety of historical sites and monuments, most of which inscribed on the National Cultural Heritage list.  

AFM/MQ/MG