Tehran, June 10, IRNA -- A cache of ancient relics was seized in Meshkinshahr, Ardebil province, said director general of Ardebil Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Department.Yahya Naqizadeh added that the Intelligence Unit of Islamic Revolutions Guards Corps (IRGC) confiscated the relics unearthed through illegal excavations, according to Iran Daily Wednesday edition.
It included decorative items, potteries, gold and silver cups and military tools made of metal and stone, he said.
Naqizadeh noted that two cups adorned with animal figures have been confiscated, which are on par with Marlik and Hassanlou cups in terms of value.
Technical and research measures for safeguarding the relics are underway in cooperation with Irans Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organizations Research Center.
The illegal diggers were arrested upon the order of judicial officials and their criminal cases are under investigation, he said.
Such a huge confiscation has occurred for the first time in Ardebil province. We intend to display them after expert and security measures are taken.
Earlier, the cist graves of a historical graveyard in Meshkinshahr were plundered by another group of illegal diggers.
Cist graves are relatively small graves in the shape of a rectangle whose sides were reinforced with slabs. These were used from prehistoric times to the end of antiquity.
Graves pertaining to Scythian era have also been identified in this graveyard.
Reza Rezalou, an archeologist from Mohaqqeq Ardebili University, led the excavations.
Rezalou said many caves were excavated and marked with codes. Remnants of four skeletons of dogs and 11 human skeletons were found in one of the graves.
Close to 23 human skeletons were discovered in one of the graves. It seems that these burials took place over several generations. The new bodies were buried in the graves from the western wall.
By IRNA
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