TEHRAN – A total of 22 historical relics have recently been discovered in the city of Saein Qaleh in Zanjan province, a senior police official in charge of protecting cultural heritage has said.The relics, estimated to date back to the 1st millennium BC and the (early) Islamic era, have been recovered from a smuggler’s car, Hossein-Ali Fazli explained on Friday. The recovered collection includes copper, nickel, and brass coins as well as pieces of pottery, the official added. In this regard, police arrested a suspect who is surrendered to justice for further investigation, he 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 nearby.ABU/AM