Unearthed Treasures: Archaeologists Discover 7,000-Year-Old Village Beneath Iran’s Historic Dehdasht

In a remarkable archaeological breakthrough, researchers in Iran have unearthed evidence of a prehistoric settlement that dates back approximately 7,000 years, located beneath the historic city of Dehdasht in the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province. This discovery not only sheds light on the ancient history of the region but also emphasizes the significant cultural heritage of Dehdasht, also known as Belad Shapur.

The excavation team, led by Zabihollah Masoudinia, announced the findings during a press conference on Saturday. The research team conducted the first archaeological studies in Dehdasht, revealing traces of a village from both the late Neolithic and early Chalcolithic periods.

Key highlights of the discovery include:

• Opening of several test trenches across the site after obtaining necessary permits.
• Upper layers of the excavation revealed remnants from the Middle and Late Islamic periods.
• Deeper layers exposed prehistoric deposits, indicating a settlement in the fifth and sixth millennia BCE.

Masoudinia emphasized that this finding is crucial, as it documents a previously unknown period in Dehdasht’s history. He stated, “This discovery indicates that the area hosted a settlement in the fifth and sixth millennia BCE, a period previously undocumented in Dehdasht.” He further noted that this could significantly elevate the historical relevance of the site.

The excavation also uncovered surface structures and remnants that primarily belong to the late Islamic centuries. A smaller excavation unit was opened to investigate layers beneath Safavid and potentially Seljuk architecture. This effort led to the recovery of pottery fragments and cultural materials from the sixth and fifth millennia BCE.

Among the intriguing finds were heat-altered stones, which suggest that ancient inhabitants employed a technique to warm liquids by heating stones in fire and placing them in containers of water or milk. Masoudinia remarked, “The results indicate that Dehdasht’s cultural history extends back at least to the late sixth and early fifth millennia BCE.“

Historical aerial photographs taken in 1956 highlighted an ancient mound near the Dehdasht caravanserai, which has been lost to urban development. However, the new evidence points to the remains of that same Neolithic village, providing valuable insights into the area’s past.

As the excavation progresses, researchers have gained a clearer understanding of the historic layout of Dehdasht. Many modern streets, houses, and alleys are built directly over the ancient mound. Additionally, the team identified remains of traditional water-transfer qanats located north of the city, showcasing the ingenuity of ancient hydraulic engineering.

In a related development, earlier this October, the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, emphasized the importance of restoring the historic fabric of Dehdasht for tourism purposes. He stated, “The revival of this historic zone cannot rely solely on government spending. The participation of investors can turn Dehdasht into a hub for domestic and foreign tourists.“

Dehdasht, or Belad Shapur, was founded under the orders of Shapur I (241–272 CE), the second king of the Sassanid dynasty. During Shapur’s reign, the Sassanid Empire expanded significantly, encompassing regions from Sogdiana and Iberia (now Georgia) in the north to the Mazun area of Arabia in the south, reaching as far as the Indus River in the east and the upper Tigris and Euphrates valleys in the west.

The Sassanid period is noted for a renaissance in Persian art and architecture. This era was characterized by monumental palaces—such as those at Ctesiphon, Firuzabad, and Sarvestan—and advancements in various crafts like metalwork and gem engraving. The translation of scholarly works from East and West into Pahlavi, the Sassanid language, played a significant role in enhancing knowledge during this period.

Among the most recognizable features of Sassanid art are the rock-carved sculptures and bas-reliefs found on limestone cliffs, with prominent examples located at Bishapur, Naqsh-e Rostam, and Naqsh-e Rajab in southern Iran. In 2018, the UNESCO World Heritage list recognized the cultural significance of this era by inscribing the “Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region” as a World Heritage site.

This recent archaeological discovery in Dehdasht not only enriches our understanding of Iran’s ancient history but also highlights the potential for the region to become a significant cultural and tourism hub in the future.