TEHRAN -- An archaeological team identified over 80 additional ancient historical sites during their latest research project in the Maneh-Samalqan region in North Khorasan Province over the past few months.

Five state-run projects such as construction of three dams and a railroad and building of a gas pipeline are scheduled to be initiated in the region in northeastern Iran.
The study was carried out in order to pinpoint locations of ancient historical sites on local maps to enable the projects’ owners do their job without damaging the sites.
Sites dating back from the Neolithic era to the Qajar period have been identified in the region, team director Mohammad-Taqi Ataii told the Persian service of CHN on Wednesday.
The relevant maps have been handed over to officials of the dam projects and the National Iranian Gas Company, he stated.
However, he added that the officials of the railroad project have not detailed them about the railroad route.
No start date for the projects was mentioned in the report.