TEHRAN – Iranian authorities have confiscated 33 historical relics from smugglers in the Rudbar region, northern Iran.

Various types of beads, stones, minted coins, and seals were among the confiscated discovered artifacts, Gilan province’s tourism chief said on Monday.

OF the highlights were pottery vessels dating back to the first millennium, Vali Jahani said.

The suspects in that regard have been surrendered to the judicial system for further investigation and trial.

Gilan is well-known for its rich Iron Age cemeteries such as Marlik that have been excavated over the past century. It was once within the sphere of influence of the successive Achaemenian, Seleucid, Parthian, and Sassanid empires that ruled Iran until the 7th century CE. The subsequent Arab conquest of Iran led to the rise of many local dynasties, and Gilan acquired an independent status that continued until 1567.

AM