Several ancient artifacts, an ancient aqueduct system, and other signs of a city from the Achaemenid era (559-329 BCE) were discovered during the most recent stage of excavations in Baravat near Bam, Kerman province (Iran).
     “The shards and the aqueduct that have been discovered reveal that this was an industrial city which was founded sometime in the 6th or 7th century BCE,” archaeologist Shahriyar Adl said. He stated that the foundation of a 400-square-meter castle surrounded by houses was also discovered in the region, adding, “Archaeologists had previously discovered the ruins of two other castles from the pre-Islamic era in the region.”
     A number of artifacts from the Achaemenid era have been discovered in the ancient region which covers an area of 20 square kilometers. The historical city of Bam is one of the oldest cities in the country but it is not clear exactly when it was founded. A devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 on the Richter scale flattened Bam on December 26, 2003, killing over 28,000 people and injuring tens of thousands of others.

Source: Tehran Times (26 August 2004)