Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies
& CULTURAL NEWS OF IRANIAN WORLD©
Production was Well-Developed During Sasanid Dynastic Era
08 June 2006
(CAIS) -- Recent geophysical and archaeological
studies in Bolaghi Valley led to discovery of the biggest wine production
workshops belonging to the Sasanid dynasty (224–652 CE). This is the first
time archaeologists have succeeded in discovering such a large wine production
Prior to this, the remains of a wine production workshop belonging to the Sasanid
dynastic era had been discovered during the archaeological excavations by the
joint Iranian-Polish team in Bolaghi Valley under the supervision of Ali Asadi
and Barbara Kaim.
“Three wine production workshops had already been discovered in area no. 64 of
Bolaghi Valley historical site during archaeological excavations by the
Iranian-Polish joint team. However, the recent geophysical studies have resulted
in discovery of more than 10 other constructions which were used for producing
wine. Two coins belonging to Kwadh (NP. Qobad) I, the Sasanid Emperor, were also
discovered in the architectural remains in this area which indicate that the
area no. 64 and all its belongings must go back to the Sasanid dynasty,” said
Reza Heidari, the current Iranian head of the Iranian-Polish joint team in
Babak Aminpour, head of the team of geophysical studies in Bolaghi Valley,
strongly believes that most of the unearthed constructions in area no. 64 of
Bolaghi Valley must have been workshops for producing wine. “Mortar dishes
were used for producing wine and the grape juice was directed to bigger jars
through a ditch which was built for this purpose. The remains of grain pits have
also been discovered in this area,” explained Aminpour.
According to Heidari, considering that the main settlement area of the Imperial
family was in the south of Fars province during the Sasanids, discovery of these
workshops in Bolaghi Valley on the opposite side, north of Fars province, has
raised new questions.
All of these new discoveries indicate that the Iranians enjoyed a high
technology in producing wine prior to Islamic conquest, particularly the Sasanid
dynasty. The most oldest wine in the world was found in a vase in Hajjii Firuz
Tepe in Iran belonging to 5000-5500 BCE.
Bolaghi Valley is one of the historical sites of the Pasargadae in Fars
province. With the flooding of Sivand Dam which has been constructed by the
Islamic regime in this Valley, hundreds of historical sites unearthed so far
including area no. 64 will drown. With the cooperation of Sivand Dam authorities
and Bolaghi Valley salvation team, some joint teams from Iran and international
countries are engaged in archaeological excavations in the site to save the main
remains of Bolaghi Valley before inauguration of the dam.
is the Light on the Path to Future"
British Institute of Persian Studies