YAZD -- Deputy Head of Cultural Heritage Research Department in Yazd Province, Alireza Hessar-Nouri said that three ancient graveyards known as Khorshidi have been identified in Yazd.

He added that the graveyards belong to the pre-Islamic culture and civilization.

Nouri said that it is not yet known whether the corpses are buried individually or collectively.

He added that once investigations and archaeological excavations are complete, some information might come to light on the political, social and economic conditions in the ancient era. He said, "it seems that once the corpses were placed in the graves, some objects were put beside them later on."

He added that according to investigations, the graves were filled with earth to the ground level. Then broken stone pieces were arrayed on it and it was eventually turned into a stone dome.

He said that unfortunately illegal excavations have taken place in some points and the stones laid on the graves have been removed to be used as building materials.

He refused to give the location of the graveyard.