TEHRAN -- Over 500 ancient metal artifacts have recently been discovered during an archaeological excavation on the Bazgir Tepe in Gorgan Province in northeastern Iran.

The artifacts, all of which are made of copper, comprise weapons, farming tools, drug tubes and pans, which date back to about 1800 years ago, Gorgan Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department director Fereidun Fa’ali told the Persian service of IRNA reported on Saturday.
The artifacts are comparable to relics previously discovered in archaeological excavations on Gorgan’s Turang Tepe and the Teppeh Hesar of Damghan in northern Semnan Province, and several ancient sites in Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, he added.
“Ruins of a large Parthian castle built of 37x37 centimeter mud bricks, which are similar to ruins previously discovered at the Turang Tepe and the Narges Tepe, have also been unearthed in the upper stratum of the site,” Fa’ali said.
In addition, the archaeological team currently working at site has discovered a number of grey and red earthenware items that dates back to circa 300 BC based on carbon-14 dating.
In the lower stratum, they have also found a number of legged earthenware dishes of the Achaemenid era. The artifacts are similar to the pottery first unearthed at an archaeological site near the town of Aq-Qala in northern Golestan Province.
The diversity of the artifacts indicates that the region had enjoyed brisk commerce in ancient times.
Covering an area of two hectares, the Bazgir Tepe is located near the village of Bazgir, about four kilometers north of the city of Minudasht.
Photo: Members of an archaeological team excavate at the Bazgir Tepe in northeastern Iran in an undated photo. Over 500 metal artifacts have been discovered during the excavation on the ancient mound. (Photo by IRNA)