Pre-Achaemenid Vilage Discovered in Iran

Discovery of a village belonging to the pre-Achaemenid period in Gandab historical site in Semnan province has stunned archeologists. Considering the existence of a 1.5-hecatare cemetery in the area, archeologists believe that about 100 families might have lived in this historical village during the Iron Age III. "Discovery of a village belonging to more than 2500 years ago in Gandab historical site was absolutely surprising. Archeological excavations in the region resulted in unearthing a residential settlement area 500x300 square meter in size which is likely to span over more than one hectare area once its boundaries are determined," said Siamak Sarlak, head of archeology team of the third season of excavations in the ancient cemeteries of Gandab and Kharand.