Thirty nine ancient sites including mounds, castles and graveyards pertaining to various cultural-historic eras were identified in the vicinity of Silveh Dam, Piranshahr, northeast of Iran, said the head of the archeology team in the region.

Afrasiab Geravand further said that northwest of Iran, which links Iranian Plateau, Caucasian, Asia Minor and Mesopotamia, played a great role in establishing cultural ties throughout history.

He added that Silveh Plain ― due to its permanent rivers, springs, flora and fauna species, pastures and fertile lands ― has been apt for human settlement since olden times.

Silveh Plain stretches over an area of 99 sq.kms. to the northwest of Piranshahr, he added.

Based on studies conducted on potteries found in the area, he said, it was evident that the relics pertained to Neolithic, Copper Stone, Brass, Iron and early-Islamic eras.

Piranshahr is located in West Azarbaijan Province and is one of the Iran's oldest cities. Its establishment dates back to the pre-Islamic era of Iran and the emergence of the Median dynasty.

In Piranshahr every literate person knows how to communicate in Persian language.

The city is one of the fastest-growing in Iran.

The history of Piranshahr can be traced back to the Paleolithic period. In recent discoveries, archeologists have found artifacts dating back to the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron ages. The earliest evidence of settlement in the Piranshahr region dates back to about 14,000 years ago.