TEHRAN – Prehistoric archeology expert Habibollah Mahmoudian said that surface evidence indicates that the ancient site of Baqe Nam in the southern Ilam Plain belongs to a settlement from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age.
He told ISNA that the ancient hill is located between Ilam city and Charsala village and covers an area of about 5 hectares.
The length of the area is about 500 meters, the width is about 100 meters, and the relative height at the highest point is about 4 meters, he added.
Mahmoudan explained that the ancient site has a relatively large area that has not been built and there are no immovable artifacts on its surface, so a wealth of cultural materials such as pottery has been discovered. He added that the site was likely a type of settlement along the river, and because of its proximity, it was likely connected to Tape Mill (Mill Hill), located south of the river.
However, new construction has separated these two sites from each other, he said, adding that a series of kiln welds were observed on the surface of the hill, and their abundance indicates the presence of pottery kilns in the area. Most of the pottery from this ancient site, which has a red, well-shaped and well-fired paste, was collected for research, he added.
He explained that the pottery at this site was made on a potter’s wheel and comes in two types: plain and patterned, with horizontal or wavy stripes around the waist, and decorated with ropes and fingers.
Mahmoudian continued that the clay coating, outward curved edge shape, and smooth edges are other cultural features of the site.
There are also many pieces of pottery that are painted with a single color of blue and turquoise glaze, using a red paste that is not strong enough. The pottery had flat bodies and bases, and samples with turquoise green glaze and black underpainting were also found.
The archaeologist added that small fragments of pottery vessels were also found among the finds. It was green in color and had been glazed over the slip and under the clear coating, but it had been completely destroyed. He pointed out that the pottery’s designs, which are painted in the form of Kufic script on the inside of the pot, have remained obscured by erosion.
Mahmoudian pointed to a weeping waterwheel on the banks of the Ilam river.
He added that traces of factories can be seen from the valley to the village of Mehdi Abad, with some archaeologists citing as many as 17 factories.
The archaeologist added that early studies indicate that there are many traces of such structures from the past in Ilam province, but they have not been seriously investigated until now.
Pointing out other historical factories in the state, he said that Khobad Mill, Kazembeg Mill and Tanoore Khan Mill are among the factories that are included in the list of industrial and historical heritage sites of Ilam and require more attention and protection.
KD