'Iran's Masouleh older than expected'

New archeological findings suggest that the village of Masouleh in Iran's northern province of Gilan is much older than previously thought.

Archeologists have found two inscriptions in the northern part of the village, which bear ancient scripts and paintings from pre-Islamic eras, CHN reported.

“The archeological form of the village is similar to pre-Islamic structures this is why we decided to search the area for more evidence,” said former director of the Institute for the Protection and Sustainable Development of Masouleh Sadeq Salehi.

“The petroglyphs have also been studied by inscriptions experts who confirmed their Pre-Islamic origins,” he added.

Lack of extensive archeological studies in Masouleh has caused historians and cultural heritage experts to date the village to the Islamic Era based on non-scientific evidence.

The excavations in northern Masouleh also yielded the ruins of the ancient village, as well as protective walls and structures.

Members of the Institute for the Protection and Sustainable Development of Masouleh had previously found four large caves in the village's northern parts, which they said dated back to the Stone Age.

Located not far from the village, the caves show that Masouleh had been one of the earliest human residences in the area.

The entrance of the caves is 10 meters high and 10 meters wide, and one can see evidence of Neolithic objects, such as stone knives, scattered around them.

Masouleh is the only Iranian village that has been completely registered on Iran's National Heritage list. The village is famous among tourists for its unique architecture.

Masouleh buildings are built into the mountain and interconnected. Courtyards and roofs both serve as pedestrian areas similar to streets. Masouleh is the only village in Iran where motor vehicles are not allowed.

Yellow clay coats the exterior of most buildings in Masouleh to provide better visibility in foggy weather.