INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Ahvaz, southwest Iran.Situated about 150 meters from the river, the cemetery has yielded ancient human remains some beige-colored urn tombs
that are coated with natural tar, Iranian archaeologist Hossein Feizi told ILNA on Tuesday.The urn tombs face the river, suggesting a
characterized by the worship of Mithra as the defender of the truth, and it was a monotheistic mystery religion prevalent in the Roman
empire before the acceptance of Christianity in the fourth century.Preliminary researches show the cemetery dates back to the time of the
newly-discovered urn tombs can be compared and contrasted with the ones previously discovered in Shoghab (cemetery) of Bushehr
province.Covering five hectares of land, Shoghab cemetery, which is located on the outskirts of Bushehr, is adjacent to other magnificent
Previous excavations there have revealed three types of burial, including rectangular tombstones, rectangular pit tombs made of stone, and
(giant) urn pits (stretched) in the east-west direction.Elsewhere in his remarks, Feizi reminded that many researchers believe the southern
fact that the new discoveries are made during an oil drilling project, Cultural Heritage activist Mojtaba Gahestuni has expressed worry that
that this site will not be explored
The discovery was of high importance because it yielded the first-ever engraved tombstone of the Parthian era.The Parthian Empire, also
known as the Arsacid Empire, was a major Iranian political and cultural power in ancient Iran
The Parthians largely adopted the art, architecture, religious beliefs, and royal insignia of their culturally heterogeneous empire, which
encompassed Persian, Hellenistic, and regional cultures
At its height, the Parthian Empire stretched from the northern reaches of the Euphrates, in what is now central-eastern Turkey, to eastern
Iran.Parthian wealth obtained through lucrative trade networks resulted in substantial patronage of the arts, in particular, relief
sculpture, statuary (large and small scale), architectural sculpture, metalwork, jewelry, and ceramics; coins with images of Parthian rulers
form another important category of objects.A cradle of civilization, Iran is well soaked in history and culture, and never disappoints
cultural travelers with almost every taste even ones interested in cemetery tourism.Having nearly all kinds of historical tombs, museums
such as tomb towers, and rack-hewn tombs, Iran is heaven for cemetery enthusiasts and grave hunters; individuals who have a passion for and
enjoyment of cemeteries, epitaphs, gravestone rubbing, photography, art, and history of famous deaths.In cemetery tourism, contrary to
popular belief, it is you who will be the protagonist of a hot dialogue of past and present during visits to centuries-old tombs or
cemeteries instead of listening to a curator of an exhibition!AFM
