The Archeological researches of ancient mines in South Khorasan Case Study: new findings of ancient centers of metal melting in Shoosf county of Nehbandan Township

We can call southern Khorasan a heaven of country’s east side mines because of its unique geological location. Archeological researches and studies conducted in geographical zone of southern Khorasan province in the form of field studies, archeological excavations – and the data extracted from them- declares that this area of the Eastern part of country has an ancient history in metallurgy. This article is a part of a research project named “A systematic archeological study of Shoosf county of Nehbandan township” that was conducted by the authors in July of current year and resulted in discovering and identifying 110 valuable historical areas that of these, 17 were ancient metal fusion areas (3 centers in Shoosf county and 14 centers in Arabkhane village). Field studies resulted in observation and recording of some signs of ancient mining and metalworking remains of furnaces and areas for accumulating metal fusion slag. By method of survey study with the technique of topography and in depth spectrum or compact (random sampling), 4 ancient iron fusion centers in two villages Shoosf and Arabkhane will be introduced in this study.