"Saints be praised!"
Ancient piping unearthed at Tang-e Bolaghi
A team of Iranian and Polish archaeologists has recently unearthed the remains of earthenware pipes at the ancient site of Tang-e Bolaghi in Iran’s southern province of Fars, Barbara Keim, the Polish director of the team, announced on Sunday.
The earthenware pipes were discovered in the area that is to become the reservoir of the Sivand Dam, which is scheduled to come on stream in March 2006, flooding some very significant ancient sites.
“Our team discovered several fragments of grey earthenware pipes which are about 30 centimeters in diameter during the excavations carried out in Area 64 of the ancient site in order to save artifacts and gather information,” Keim said.
Gilan’s first Neolithic site discovered
A team of Iranian and Japanese archaeologists recently discovered the first Neolithic site ever found in northern Iran’s Gilan Province, an Iranian member of the team said on Friday.
“The discovery was made during the fifth phase of excavations in the Arg-Dasht region. One of the goals of the team is identification of pre-Iron Age sites, although only a few have been found,” Hamid Fahimi added.
Gilan contains many Iron Age sites, but the new discovery will provide more information on pre-Iron Age lifestyles in the region.
The Arg-Dasht Neolithic site is the most ancient site that has ever been found in Gilan. Archaeologists had previously discovered some Bronze Age artifacts on the southern bank of the Shahrud River as well as some pottery and shards dating back to circa 3000 BC in the province.
That's the whole thing.
Tar fuel used 6000 years ago in Toll-e Bondu
Recent studies at Toll-e Bondu indicate that its inhabitants used tar as fuel 6000 years ago, the head of the team of archaeologists working at the ancient site in the southern Iranian province of Fars announced on Saturday.
Ehsan Yaghmaii said that several fragments of earthenware which were recently discovered at the site were probably used as tar containers.
The newly discovered shards are thicker than usual and it is surmised that the ancient residents used them to collect the tar which leaked out of oil fields in Khuzestan and Fars, he added.
That's interesting. We don't recall the history of petrochemical use as fuel.
Harappa theme park update Theme park near Harappa stalled
Work on an amusement park adjacent to the ruins of the Harappan civilisation has been halted after diggings in the area threw up new discoveries of priceless 5,000-year-old objects.
The discoveries at one of the world's most ancient cities, about 180 km from Lahore, include statues of gods and goddesses, toys, wheels, pottery and bangles.
A report on the new discoveries is to be presented to Culture Minister Ajmal Khan, who is likely to order an enquiry into the circumstances under which the amusement park project was cleared.
Heh. The irony. . . . .
CRM update II Archaeology and Construction: Good Practice Guide
The objective of this project is to develop independent and practical guidance for construction clients and contractors on the consideration of archaeological remains on property and construction sites. The proposed guide would enable the user to fully understand and comply with planning guidance on archaeology and the historic environment. The finished guide would also highlight the potential risks associated with poor practice or non-compliance during the planning, design and construction process (e.g. programme delays, reputational risks, etc) and demonstrate the ways in which archaeology or heritage matters may enhance or add value to a development.
The aim of the publication would be to a) enhance the industry’s understanding of the archaeological process, and b) help archaeologists understand the challenges faced by those involved in the design and construction process.
This sounds interesting.