History Forum / General / General Topics / September 2005

Holy Cow Statue Discovered in Mazandaran

Cultural Heritage News Agency
Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Tehran, 28 September 2005 (CHN) -- Archaeological
excavations in Gohar Tepe, in Mazandaran province in
Iran, led to the discovery of the remains of the statues
of some cows which were most probably used in religious
ceremonies.

The discovery of these sculptures indicates that the
people of the region worshiped cows 3000 years ago.

  [Caption] Remains of several cow statues have been
     unearthed in Gohar Tepe, Mazandaran.  

  View picture here:
http://heritage.chn.ir/en/manage/photo/cow.jpg

Mazandaran is one of the most ancient provinces in Iran.
Archaeological excavations indicate that the province has
been inhabited by human beings since 400,000 years ago
until the present time, and that around 5000 years ago,
urbanization flourished in the area. Gohar Tepe is a
proof to this claim.

"Some cow statues have been discovered in the
archaeological excavations of Gohar Tepe, one of which is
left almost intact. These sculptures which are in shape
of rhytons were being used in religious ceremonies," says
Ali Mahforouzi, head of the excavation team of Gohar
Tepe, Mazandaran, who is undertaking the forth season of
excavations in the historical site.

According to Mahforouzi, the discovered rhytons are
broken but the one that is left intact and is bigger than
the rest reveals artistic mastery. Rhytons were mostly
used in religious places, but the ones discovered in
Gohar Tepe of Mazandaran were found inside a dustbin in
part of an ancient structure.

Discovery of cultural evidence such as clay pieces around
the structure indicates that the rhytons belong to the
Iron Age (the first millennium BC), but more studies are
still needed to determine their exact period.

Mahforouzi believes that rhytons reflect the beliefs of
the ancient people of the region. These statues are
evidence that the people of the region worshiped oxen and
humped cows 3000 years ago. "Even today we can see some
kind of respect towards the animals in the region," added
Mahforouzi, referring to kinds of cows being regarded as
symbols of hard work and fertility.

The biggest intact rhyton discovered is about 30 cm long,
12 cm high and 15 cm wide. Archaeologists consider it as
a unique discovery in Mazandaran province, and believe
that with the discovery of the main worship place, more
rhytons and statues could be found.

The archaeological excavations in Gohar Tepe continues
for 2 months, and the team of archeologists are to
determine forms of urban life 5000 years ago, remains of
which are evident in Gohar Tepe.

More at:
http://www.chn.ir/en/news/?id=5708&section=2

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