The discovery of the oldest plaster furnace in the area of Chaghagolan/ creation of a museum site and archeopark in the future
According to Aria Heritage Report, quoting from the public relations of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Research Institute, Hojjat Darabi, Head of Exploration and Associate Professor of Archeology at Razi University of Kermanshah, announced this news and said: The Chaghagolan ancient site, which is located in Mehran city of Ilam province, is the largest settlement sequence related to the beginning of the Neolithic period. in Iran and the east of the Fertile Crescent, and it is very important to study why and how societies became Neolithic and their transition from gathering and hunting to food production in the foothills of Zagros, but studies related to Neolithic and the beginning of agriculture and rural settlement in Iran compared With the neighboring countries in West Asia, it has been paid very little attention, and for this reason, extensive exploration of the Chaghagolan area is very important.
This archaeologist stated: This area was first identified and introduced by the late Ali Mohammad Khalilian, and then by Gabriel Noukandeh. In 2009-10, a delegation from the University of Tübingen, Germany, led by Mohsen Zaidi and Nicholas Konard, stratified it, but in recent years it has been neglected and severely damaged by agricultural activities and unauthorized excavations. Therefore, carrying out extensive and long-term explorations not only provides unique information on the nature of human entry into the Neolithic world in Zagros, but also creates a basis for preventing further destruction of the site by applying conservation measures.
He stated that the first season of Chaghagolan excavation started in the middle of October and so far very interesting evidence has been obtained in relation to the architectural context and residential and ritual spaces as well as the industrial context. It is considered an achievement of excavation, because it should be considered as the oldest plaster furnace that has been found so far. This issue can also change the view of researchers and experts about the role and importance of non-domestic activities in the process of Neolithic societies, so that in addition to the issue of animal and plant domestication, a variety of fundamental changes should be sought in human life during this period. .
The head of the archeology board pointed out that it is natural that the continuation of exploration in Chaghaglan can clearly show the potential capacities of this area and also the special position of the Zagros foothills in better understanding the Neolithic process and the beginning of agriculture and rural settlement throughout West Asia and even the world. He hoped that with the support of managers and cultural heritage workers in the province and the country, this unique capacity can be used and scientifically exploited.
In the end, Darabi stated: In this regard, with the step-by-step application of the program presented by the author to the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage of Ilam province in connection with Chaghagolan, the goal is to move towards the creation of a museum site and archeopark in Chaghagolan, and this is obviously important. In line with the introduction of cultural heritage and ultimately the cultural and economic development of the region, it will be of great importance.