Salt-Man

In the winter of 1993, the miners working in the salt mine in the hills in the western part of  Zanjan Province came across a corpse with long hair and beard. Following this sudden and unusual discovery archaeologists from Zanjan Cultural Heritage Center began excavation in the region in February 1994 which resulted in finding a foreleg inside a leather boot, three knives, a short trouser, a silver object presumably as an ear cleaner, a sling, parts of a leather rope, a grindstone, a walnut, some pieces of earthenware and few pieces of designed textiles and finally broken bones.

Archaeological investigations of the salt mine showed the existence of various old tunnels in different directions and traces of ancient mining. One tunnel with approximately 45 meters in length had been dug from the southwest to the northeast, with the size of the neck of the tunnel being decreased towards inside and it was assumed that the corpse had been buried here.

The geographical situation of the place of discovery The aforesaid salt mines are located under the hills facing Chehrabad river, one kilometer away from the southern part of Hamzehloo village which is situated at 47( 50( eastern longitude from 37( 5( northern length of Greenwich from the Equator, in the western part of the city of Zanjan and 65 Kilometers far from it. Hamzehloo is positioned on the road of  Zanjan-Hezar, Shampa, on the left bank of Amijai (Taikhchrood) river, 2 kilometers far from the main road. Politically it is under the supervision of Chanibiglu village which is connected to the central part of Zanian province. Hamzchloo village is surrounded by the cast by Mehrabad village, on the west by Hesar, on the south by Chehrabad village and from the north by Gunidaghi mountains les population is approximately twenty families.

Historical Background According to the studies and based on the distribution of human settlements in the western part of Zanjan it is concluded that the beginning of the aging literature and historical period (early third millennium to the beginning of first millennium B.C) show the distinction and durability of the civilization in the central plateau of Iran. The traces of these could be observed in the villages of Ziaabad, Aghkand, Goltapeh, Chairly, Gholtugh, Ughdbeik, Mehrabad, Chehrabad. Their coexistence as well as their perpetual relations show the presence of cultural and economical exchanges between the inhabitants of the region. In other words, the region had been settled by different ethnic groups during the whole of the second and the beginning of first millennium B.C  and therefore undoubtedly the salt mine of Hamzehloo village with a view to its variety of minerals and surface deposits and consequently being readily mined, had been economically very important during the first and second millennium B.C.

The primary archaeological, as well as comparative studies of the hair style and clothing in different historical periods attributed to the discovered corpse Saltman and the Saltman Itself, lead the scientists to date the collection to the eighth century BC that is: Sokaeed tribes. However, after further studies and particularly performing C14 Dating on different samples of bones and textiles the Saltman was dated to 1700 years ago. The visual characteristics such as clothing, the presence of golden earring on the left ear as well as the tools found with Saltman does not support the hypothesis of him being an ordinary citizen or a laborer in a salt mine. Long and curly hair earrings as well as long beards sometimes decorated with Jewelry, are some characteristics of Sassanids males. The shape of some shoes from this period having a larger opening at the upper part of the boot and used when horse-riding, is closely similar 10 the one found, with minor differences, with the Saltman.

What was found and what was gained from scientific studies:

1. The half-body of the Saltman: This half-body which has been naturally mummified as a result of lying in a salty condition and through losing the liquid of tissues, belongs to a middle-aged man with traces of an injury on the right side of his face. Three-dimensional pictures(C.T.Scans) show the fractures around the eye. Displacement of the inferior maxilla, as well as the abnormal position of teeth, is the consequence of breaking the jaw. The shape of the fractures and damages shows that these were occurred before the death and presumably as a result of a hard blow or impact. The soft tissues on the right side of the face are preserved and the golden earring on the left ear is observable in CT.Scans.

The brain tissues on the left side of the forehead have been thoroughly dried which makes it clear that the head of the corpse was placed on the same side at the time of burial The deviation of the axis and atlas to the same direction further clarity point. The teeth radiographs show that tooth No.6 of the superior maxilla is pulled out and on the opposite side tooth decayed. The inferior oxidizing condition and presence of an ion in the environment have caused the change of hair opposite side tooth 5 and 6 are Te in good condition. The or from brown into white(the brown color of hair can be observed in some parts of eyebrow and face). According to the results acquired from the compound and elemental analysis implemented on hair the presence of a high amount of iron, particularly in the samples taken from the beard. could be attributed to bleeding and subsequent oxidation of ions in the blood, which in its turn has been responsible for the yellowing of the hair. The existence of high amounts of various elements in Saltman s hair is due to the absorption of ions from the environment. Determining the blood group of B by testing a hair specimen from the Saltman s, shows that the blood group antigens which also exist in hair cells, still have the capability of participating in chemical reactions after 1700 years.
Histological studies show the existence of some parts of protective skin tissues, mainly Keratin and strings of collagen, and also stripped muscular tissue and traces of fatty glands. Carrying out DNA dactyloscopy for microbiology on the half-body has denied the existence of bacteria such as tuberculosis bacteria or any other kind of bacteria. This is also attributed to the chemical properties of salt which protect the corpse from injuries resulting from bacteria and other microorganism growth, In addition, it is proved that the Saltman had not suffered from tuberculosis in his lifetime.

2- The foreleg and boot: The place where the boots and their forces were found was several meters away from the corpse. Thus it was important to prove whether the forelegs and other scattered specimens belonged to the Saltman body. This was achieved with the help of genetic experiments and by using DNA dactyloscopy the above-mentioned theory was proved. C.T.Scan on the leg and boot showed the leather part with a subtle and thin line, the line becoming thicker in the sole of the foot. These pictures also

3- Textiles: Among the discovered textile was the Saltman short trousers, having creamy color and 35 centimeters long. It has a simple weaving pattern and at the edges ornamental margins in >> shape. Red, Blue, Green, and Brown pigments are used. . According to FT-IR and microscopic examinations, it has been made from wool fibers, with eleven woofs and eight warps in each centimeter. The direction of warps and woofs is in z form. In addition, some other pieces of designed textiles made of wool were also found. The design of Tafte and Serzheh can be observed.
The red and blue colors used in these textiles are Madder and Indigo. These are determined by FT-IR and thin-layer chromatography (TLC).
Two pieces of woolen rope, 21cm long each and in cream color, woven beautifully are among other textiles found. Three pieces of leather rope totally 109 centimeters long and with a width of two centimeters are also to be seen among the objects.

4. Metal Objects: These objects are: Three iron knives with iron corrosion on them. Elemental analysis metallurgical examinations of the objects and geological surveys and mineral studies in the Zanjan area have helped the assumption that the origin of the metal blades could be the Shah Blagh mine on the northwest and southeast axis along the Soltanieh Mountain in western Zanjan. This mine has provided part of Zanjan's metal ores since a long time ago.
Needle (ear cleaner): This is a silver object, one end of it like a small spoon and the other end coily and Sharpe, and has been known as an ear cleaner. Its shape and application resemble it to the Marlik objects.
5. Millstone: this is sandstone, which its degradation shows its extensive use.
6- Pottery: Pottery shreds without any known shapes. They are grayish in color and finely handmade.
7- Sling stone: A stone with traces of woolen rope on it.