Tehran, 13 June 2006 (CHN) -- Discovery of the remains of a kiln and burnt bricks in Dolat Abad Tepe has convinced archeologists that this historical hill must have been an industrial region on the path of the Silk Road during the early Islamic period.

“Various cultural layers belonging to different periods of time were identified during the archeological excavations in Dolat Abad historical hill. However, what is more prominent about these discoveries is that it seems this historical hill played an important role in the industry of the Islamic period. The archeology team also succeeded in discovering the remains of an earthen kiln, dating back to the beginning of the Islamic era, most probably to the 9th century AD,” said Leila Niakan, head of archeological excavation team in Dolat Abad historical hill in Qazvin.

According to Niakan, archeological excavations in Dolat Abad Tepe aim at identifying cultural evidence belonging to the time when the power was transferred from the Sassanid dynasty (the last Persian Empire before the domination of Islam in Iran) to the Muslim rulers.

Archeological excavations in Dolat Abad Tepe have started since March 2006 in order to find out the cultural, social, economical, religious, and artistic aspects of life during different periods of settlement in this historical hill with a special focus on the period that was followed by the collapse of the Sassanid dynasty in 651 AD and starting of the Islamic period in Iran.

“Discovery of some pre-historic stone artifacts and clays belonging to the Iron Age during the archeological excavations in this historical site

indicate that Dolat Abad Tepe in Qazvin was a settlement area during different periods of time. After preparing the topographical map of Dolat Abad Tepe and its nearby hills and carrying out some archeological soundings, we succeeded in determining the vicinity of this historical hill, although some parts of it has been destroyed due to agricultural activities in the area,” added Niakan.

Dolat Abad Tepe is located at a distance of 60 kilometers from the city of Qazvin in Qazvin Plain, and on the path of the famous Silk Road.