Two tiny skulls belonging to 3,000 year-old babies or possibly even fetuses, have been discovered in an excavation at one of Isfahan, Iran’s provincial archaeological sites.
     While excavating Ashna Tepe (hill), part of Chad Egan, in Isfahan province, the two skulls, dating back to some 3,000 years ago were discovered in baskets similar to tree trunks. According to Asadollah Mirza Aghajani, head of the Tepe excavations, the delicate structure of the unique little skulls is proof that they belong to babies or fetuses.
     The skulls were buried next to each other, which Mirza Aghajani believes, "shows that the babies have probably been twins." He adds that a final identification necessitates further anthropology studies.
     During the month since excavation started in the area, remains from the Iron Age, Bronze Age, Copper Age, and Neolithic Age have all been discovered at Ashna Tepe.
     Ashna Tepe is located in the middle of the deltas of Aragun (a main branch of the river Zayandeh Rud) and the Kam Ab rivers. The hill is in a 20-kilometer distance of Zayandeh Rud dam, and is covered under water which goes as far as 48 kilometers behind the dam during the rainy season. The area is therefore accessible for archaeological studies only during the time when water is low.

Source: Payvand.com (30 August 2005)