In the winter of 1993, miners working in the Chehrabad Salt Mine in northwestern Iran made an extraordinary discovery. While digging for salt, they came across a naturally preserved body—later known as the First Salt Man. The body had long white hair, a beard, and a mustache, and was found along with several ancient objects.
What Was Found?
Beside the mummy were many items that belonged to him, including:
- Parts of his body
- A lower leg still inside a leather boot
- Three iron knives
- Half of a woolen trouser
- A silver needle
- A sling
- Pieces of leather rope
- A grindstone
- A walnut
- Pottery shards
- Pieces of patterned cloth
- Several broken bones
He was discovered in the middle of a collapsed mine tunnel about 45 meters long. Archaeologists believe that the tunnel collapse is what killed him.
More Mummies Found
The discovery didn’t stop there.
- In 2004, another salt-preserved mummy was found just 50 feet from the first one.
- In 2005, a third mummy was uncovered.
- Later the same year, miners found a mummy of a teenage boy.
Altogether, several mummies—known today as the Saltmen—have been found in the Chehrabad mine.
How Old Are They?
Scientific studies show that the Saltmen come from different historical periods:
- Some date back to the Achaemenid Dynasty (550–330 BC)
- Others belong to the Parthian (247 BC–224 CE)
- And the Sassanid Empire (224–651 CE)
This means the mine was used for hundreds of years, and the Saltmen did not all die at the same time.
Why Are They So Well Preserved?
The Saltmen are among the best-preserved ancient bodies ever found.
The reason is the extreme dryness and saltiness of the mine. Salt naturally dries out and disinfects anything it touches. Because of this:
- Their hair, skin, and bones remained intact.
- Even their stomachs and colons were discovered preserved.
- Clothing, tools, and food items also survived the passage of thousands of years.
The bodies did not decay like normal mummies—they were naturally preserved by the salt.
Where Are They Now?
The head and left foot of the First Salt Man are displayed at the National Museum of Iran in Tehran.
Other Saltmen and artifacts are studied by archaeologists and kept in controlled environments to prevent further deterioration.
What the Saltmen Tell Us
The Saltmen provide rare and important information about:
- Ancient mining practices
- Clothing styles
- Daily tools and equipment
- Diet and lifestyle
- Health and physical conditions of people living more than 2,000 years ago
They are considered one of Iran’s most fascinating archaeological discoveries.
0 Comments