Following thorough anthropological and archeological studies in the northern Semnan Province, Iranian archeologists have concluded that over 3,000 years ago, an ethnic clan named Kharands had a migratory and nomadic lifestyle. Kharand is a site dating back to Iron Age. Archeologists have already unearthed two graveyards there, housing some precious artifacts from the second to the first millennium BCE.
     “During two seasons of excavation, we have discovered terra cotta vessels and also golden, silver and golden ornaments, all similar to 27 historical sites in the neighboring province of Mazandaran,” said Abdulmotaleb Sharifi, head of the archeology team in Kharand. “We believe they were all made by one group of roving nomads.” The main finding of these studies indicates that Kharand nomads used to winter near the Caspian Sea and spend the hot summer days near the refreshing fountain of Kharand, 80 km south of Mazandaran.

Sources: Iranian Cultural Heritage News Agency, Payvand (26 July 2004)