A team of archaeologists has recently identified 100 ancient sites at the Seimareh Dam reservoir in western Iran's Ilam Province. The sites have been identified as belonging to a whole array of historical eras including Neolithic, Bronze Age, Copper Age, Stone Age, Parthian, Sassanid, and early Islamic, team director Rasul Seyyedin Borujeni said. "The sites spread over a vast area. Thus we need a large team of archaeologists in order to begin salvage operations. The success of the project depends on the setting of priorities and the conduction of regular excavations," he added.
     The Seimareh Dam has been constructed over the river Seimareh and is located 30 kilometers northwest of the city of Darehshahr. The filling of the dam has been scheduled to commence by the end of the Iranian year (March 19, 2008).

Source: Tehran Times (26 September 2007)