Archaeologists Reveal Harireh’s Hidden Treasure on Kish Island

Date: 16 November 2025 - 21:40

News ID: ۱۴۵۸۸۲

TEHRAN -- After a fourteen-year hiatus, the seventh season of excavations at the historic city of Harireh on Kish Island has resumed under the auspices of the Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization, with collaboration and support from the Kish Free Zone Authority.
Archaeologists focused their efforts on the southern sector of Building 3, uncovering a rich assemblage of material culture, including ceramic fragments, shells, animal bones, architectural plaster ornamentation, stone tools such as grindstones and pestles, metal objects, glassware shards, and enigmatic bronze coins.
The primary aim of this latest campaign has been multifaceted: to document the site meticulously, clarify the findings of previous excavations, and pave the way for the integration of Harireh’s grand houses and the central mosque into a heritage tourism corridor.
Scholars are also intent on understanding the historic relocation of regional power from Siraf to Kish and the island’s pivotal role in maritime trade with the Far East.
One of the most significant features of Harireh is the thoroughfare stretching from the central mosque and its adjacent glass workshop to a trio of grand residences, a historic bathhouse, and the harbor complex.
The latter contains facilities for date syrup production, cargo unloading, and carved port architecture. Many of the architectural spaces align with the ancient water channels, offering key insights into the ingenuity of Kish’s historic urban planning. Currently, attention is centered on the palatial residences.
Excavation director Muhammad Mortazavi highlighted a remarkable discovery: an array of thirteen types of Chinese celadon pottery, evidence of Kish’s centrality in ancient trade networks with East Asia. The ceramics range from modest utilitarian wares to luxurious, decorative pieces, alongside locally produced imitations, underscoring the sophistication of indigenous craftsmanship.
The excavated building, constructed from coral stone across two levels in accordance with the island’s topography, includes domestic quarters as well as spaces likely used for industrial activities such as pearl processing. A wealth of shell debris and related tools, along with a nine-meter-deep well connected to basins and channels, reveal a complex architectural plan, with fourteen distinct spaces now documented.
Additional finds include turquoise and gilt-star tiles, hinting at the opulence of the structure and the prominence of its occupants. Chronological studies suggest these artifacts date from the 4th to 8th centuries AH, though precise stratigraphic dating will follow the completion of fieldwork.
This season continues a legacy of archaeological research on Kish, from pre-Revolution surveys in the 1960s to post-Revolution campaigns led by Mahmoud Mousavi and successive teams. The ongoing efforts promise not only to enrich our understanding of Harireh’s urban and commercial history but also to open restored spaces to the public, offering a tangible connection to Iran’s maritime and cultural heritage.