Avroman Region: A Journey Through Prehistoric and Ancient History
The Avroman region serves as a profound archive of human existence, with archaeological evidence stretching back tens of thousands of years. From the earliest nomadic hunters of the Paleolithic era to the structured administration of the Parthian Empire, this landscape has witnessed the rise and fall of diverse cultures and civilizations.
Prehistoric Foundations
Human habitation in the region dates back to the Middle Paleolithic Period, more than 40,000 years ago. Significant evidence of these early settlers was uncovered by archaeologists near Hajij village and between the villages of Naw and Asparez within the Sirwan valley.
As human development progressed, the region continued to be a hub of activity. Evidence of Late Paleolithic occupation—the final stage of the Old Stone Age—was discovered in the Kenacheh cave site located in the Perdi Mala valley.
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The Darian Dam Archaeological Salvage Program
Much of what we know about the region's deep history comes from the Darian Dam Archaeological Salvage Program. This initiative conducted multiple seasons of surveys and excavations to recover historical data before the area was submerged by a reservoir.
The program unearthed several critical sites spanning different eras:
- Dārāi Rockshelter: Dating to the Middle Paleolithic.
- Kenācheh Cave: Dating to the Upper Paleolithic.
- Sar Cham: Occupied during the Chalcolithic (Copper Age) and Iron Age.
- Ruwār tomb: Dating to the Iron Age.
- Barda Mār: A site from the 19th century.
Tragically, with the exception of the Ruwar sites, all of these excavated locations were flooded between 2015 and 2016.
Assyrian Influence and Royal Inscriptions
The region's strategic location made it a point of interest for the great empires of antiquity. The Inscription of Sargon II, found at the Tang-i Var pass near Tang-i Var village, confirms that the Assyrians occupied the area during their military campaigns into the Zagros mountains.
This royal inscription is attributed to Sargon II, who reigned as the King of Assyria from 721 to 705 BC.
The Parchments of Avroman
In 1909, a remarkable discovery was made in a cave on Kuh-e Salan Mountain, near the village of Shar Hawraman. Known as the Parchments of Avroman, these three documents provide a rare glimpse into the legal and social life of the Seleucid and Parthian eras.
Dating from 88/87 BC to 33 AD, the documents consist of two texts written in Greek and one in Parthian. These records detail the sale of a vineyard and other land, specifically mentioning individuals named Pātaspak, son of Tīrēn, and Awīl, son of Baænīn. Following their discovery, these documents were transported to London.
Key Facts
- Oldest Evidence: Human habitation dates back over 40,000 years (Middle Paleolithic).
- Major Salvage Effort: The Darian Dam program recovered sites from the Paleolithic to the 19th century.
- Assyrian Presence: Confirmed by Sargon II's inscriptions (721–705 BC).
- Ancient Documents: The Parchments of Avroman (88/87 BC – 33 AD) record land sales in Greek and Parthian.
- Loss of Sites: Most excavated sites were flooded in 2015-2016.
| Site/Find | Period/Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Dārāi Rockshelter | Middle Paleolithic | Early human habitation |
| Kenācheh Cave | Upper Paleolithic | Late prehistoric occupation |
| Sargon II Inscription | 721–705 BC | Evidence of Assyrian military campaigns |
| Parchments of Avroman | 88/87 BC – 33 AD | Seleucid/Parthian land sale records |
| Sar Cham | Chalcolithic & Iron Age | Multi-era settlement |
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the earliest human evidence in the Avroman region?
The earliest evidence dates back to the Middle Paleolithic Period, indicating that humans inhabited the area more than 40,000 years ago.
What happened to the sites excavated during the Darian Dam program?
Except for the Ruwar sites, most of the excavated locations—including Dārāi Rockshelter and Kenācheh Cave—were flooded between 2015 and 2016 due to the reservoir.
Who was Sargon II and why is he linked to this region?
Sargon II was the King of Assyria from 721 to 705 BC. His royal inscriptions at the Tang-i Var pass prove that the Assyrian army occupied the region during their campaigns into the Zagros mountains.
What are the Parchments of Avroman?
They are a set of three documents found in 1909 on Kuh-e Salan Mountain. Written in Greek and Parthian between 88/87 BC and 33 AD, they document the sale of land and a vineyard.
Which languages were used in the Parchments of Avroman?
Two of the documents were written in Greek and one was written in Parthian.