TEHRAN - Local police have uncovered four ancient clay artifacts estimated to be around 4,000 years old in Sari, the capital of Mazandaran province in northern Iran.

Abdollah Hassanzadeh, the police commander of Sari county, announced the discovery, revealing that the objects were seized following a tip-off regarding illegal antiquities trading in the area, ISNA reported on Tuesday.

According to Hassanzadeh, law enforcement officers from the Golma station in Sari conducted extensive intelligence gathering and police investigations. With authorization from the judicial authorities, officers raided the suspect’s residence, where they discovered the relics.

The recovered items include pottery vessels and clay jars believed to date back to the Iron Age, the commander said.

The suspect was taken into custody and a file has been opened for further legal proceedings. Experts from the Cultural Heritage Department are currently assessing the historical value of the artifacts.

The picture-perfect province has long been a highly popular destination for domestic travelers. Its varied nature features plains, prairies, forests, and rainforests stretching from the sandy beaches of the Caspian Sea to the rugged and snowcapped Alborz sierra, including Mount Damavand, one of the highest peaks and volcanos in Asia. More than 800 registered historical and cultural sites, 338 km of shoreline, mineral springs in jungles and mountains, waterfalls, and caves are among the major tourist attractions in the province.

AM