Ancient pottery jars unearthed in western Iran
Two prehistoric pottery jars emerged from a roadside embankment in Iran's Dehloran County after soil erosion, prompting cultural heritage officials to transfer the artifacts to the provincial museum in Ilam city on Monday.
Farzad Sharifi, Ilam province's cultural heritage director, told state news agency IRNA that local residents reported the discovery along a road in Dehloran County. A team of archaeologists, heritage experts, prosecutors and police quickly secured the site for initial examination.
"Preliminary assessments indicate these jars likely date back to ancient historical periods," Sharifi said. The red clay vessels probably stored legumes, dried foods or grains, he added.
Dehloran sits in the northern part of the Dehloran Plain, an area known for extensive archaeological research alongside the Susiana plain. The region has yielded significant prehistoric finds over decades of excavation.
Both jars were carefully extracted following strict preservation protocols, Sharifi added. One jar remains intact while the other shows cracking that will require restoration work before public display.
The artifacts will undergo detailed study at the provincial heritage department's storage facility. Officials plan to exhibit them at either the Darrehshahr Archaeological Museum or the Vali Castle, also known as the Ethnography Museum of Ilam after restoration.
"These are red clay pottery pieces, and more detailed information will be released once expert studies are completed," Sharifi said.
He praised local residents for their vigilance in protecting historical artifacts. "Preserving cultural heritage is everyone's responsibility, and citizen participation plays a crucial role in identifying and safeguarding the province's valuable historical objects."
Ilam province boasts a 6,000-year-old civilization and serves as a major center for archaeological studies in western Iran due to its strategic location and rich historical background.
Recent years have brought numerous discoveries spanning prehistoric to Islamic periods across various counties including Dehloran, Darrehshahr and Ilam. The finds include pottery vessels, caves, ancient cemeteries and other valuable artifacts that highlight the province's central role in early Iranian plateau civilizations.
Swift action by heritage authorities and local community cooperation has proven effective in protecting Ilam's cultural treasures and historical identity, officials said.