TEHRAN- The Iranian police recovered a total of 15 historical relics in Zanjan province during the first quarter of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-June 21), a senior police official in charge of protecting cultural heritage has said.The relics were seized from 18 illegal excavators and smugglers, Hassan-Ali Fazli said on Friday, CHTN reported.The culprits were surrendered to the judicial system for further investigation, the official added.Zanjan is one of the cities founded by Sassanid King Ardashir I (180-242 CE).

The province makes a base for wider explorations with the architectural wonder of Soltaniyeh, the subterranean delights of the Katale-Khor caves, colorful mountains, and the UNESCO-registered Takht-e Soleiman ruins are nearby.ABU/MG