Among the most notable findings is a unique clay seal bearing Pahlavi inscriptions that explicitly mention Tabaristan. Experts highlight this as the first historical document to record this name on a Sasanian seal, as the region was previously known by titles like Patashkhwargar.
Excavations, which began in 2020, have revealed that the cave served as a sophisticated administrative and industrial hub. Findings from the western wing include metal-smelting furnaces and weaponry production tools, while the eastern section contained a storage facility.
Evidence of a meticulous accounting system was also found, including receipts inscribed on pottery that track goods, quantities, and dates.
Other remarkable artifacts include two rare, ancient carvings, one on wood and the other on bone, marking them as the oldest examples of such craftsmanship in the region, dating back approximately 1,200 to 1,300 years.
Additionally, the team discovered a fragment of a textile document, now identified as the oldest written record found in Mazandaran.
Despite these monumental successes, Mehdi Abedini, director of the national heritage site, noted that current research is being carried out every other year due to budget constraints. The team is now prioritizing the documentation of existing findings, with hopes to resume field operations once funding is secured.
