TEHRAN - A local hiker has accidentally discovered a clay canteen believed to date back to the Parthian era during an outing on the heights of Darreh Shahr, a historically significant city in Ilam province, western Iran.

Farzad Sharifi, who presides over the cultural heritage directorate of Ilam province, on Sunday confirmed the discovery, stating that the artifact was found by a local resident who promptly reported it to the authorities.

“The individual claims that while hiking in a mountainous region of Darreh Shahr, he discovered the clay canteen and handed it over to the local cultural heritage office,” Sharifi explained.

The clay canteen, believed to date from the Parthian Empire, has now been transferred to the provincial directorate for further study and [possible] registration.

“The artifact will undergo a detailed analysis to confirm its historical significance,” the official said.

Sharifi also expressed gratitude to the local for responsibly turning in the artifact, urging the public and heritage organizations to continue collaborating in safeguarding historical treasures.

Darreh Shahr, believed to have been the ancient city of Madaktu in the Elamite Kingdom, has a rich archaeological history. Once a key post for Mesopotamia, the city experienced several periods of rise and fall, particularly following the Assyrian conquest in 693 BC. Though it never regained its former prominence under the Achaemenid Empire, the city saw a revival during the Parthian and Sasanian periods. Today, Darreh Shahr is renowned for its abundance of ancient artifacts, many of which are displayed at the Darreh Shahr Museum.

The Parthian Empire, also known as the Arsacid Empire, was a major Iranian political and cultural power centered in ancient Iran from 247 BC to 224 CE.

 AM