An ancient door dating back to Elymaean period was discovered in Izeh county, Khuzestan Province, CHN quoted Jafar Mehrkian, head of the archaeological team working on Kalchenar district in Shami valley, as saying.
One month after the discovery of an ancient gate in Tel Ajori archaeological site in Marvdasht county, Fars Province, a large stone door was unearthed further west in Khuzestan. The door, which weighs 500 kg, evidently belonged to an important building. The door has retained its pivot and groove. Its mechanism functions similarly to that of modern doors, and there are still traces of iron trappings on the white stone.
The door is exceptionally intact, Mehrkian noted. Among other doors found in the area, it is unique in design and carving.
The door was immediately transferred to the archaeology center, where it is to be prepared for public display.
Archaeological exploration in Shami valley started after a 77-year hiatus. About one year ago, the first season of Iranian-Italian joint expedition in Khuzestan started under the supervision of Jafar Mehrkian and Vittorio Messina. During the expedition a large temple was unearthed. The temple revealed new facts about Elymaean beliefs and rituals.
Since the temple and surrounding buildings lie on a large platform, archaeologists call the site an Elymaean Persepolis.
Elymais was a semi-independent state frequently subject to Parthian domination. It existed between the second century BC and the early third century AD in territories of Khuzestan, southwestern Iran.
