Discovery of a fire temple and prayer house with an urban architectural plan belonging to the Iron Age for the first time n Qoli-Darvish historical site near Qom as well as a jar burial dating back to the third millennium BCE have encouraged archaeologists to continue their studies in this site. "This season of excavation was so fruitful that two months of excavations was not enough to finish excavation studies on this ancient site. Therefore, we need more time to complete our excavations," said Siamak Sarlak, head of excavation team in Qoli-Darvish historical site.
     During the third season of archeological excavations in Qoli Darvish Tepe, the first fire temple and prayer house belonging to the Iron Age in the Central Plateau of Iran was discovered and unearthed which had remained almost intact.  "This prayer house with the fire temple at its center was deliberately sealed with adobe during the first millennium BCE, and then the raised platform of Qoli Darvish was built on it. The excavation team in Qoli Darvish succeeded in unearthing this prayer house, which is almost intact after 3000 years," added Sarlak.
     The first urban architectural plan belonging to the Iron Age (the first millennium BCE) along with a jar burial dating back to the third millennium BC were the other important discoveries in Qoli Darvish hill. "During the archeological excavations in the 5000-year-old layers of Qoli Darvish, we could trace the developed culture of inhabitants of this region which was quite unique in Central Plateau of Iran," explained Sarlak.
     According to Sarlak, two months was certainly not enough to complete the research during this season of excavation. Therefore, the Archeological Research Center was asked to extend the duration of this season of excavation for another month. Fortunately, the research center has shown its agreement with this proposal, but the only problem that remains is providing of the budget.

Source: Pendar (7 February 2006)