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Salt man - Iran Baastan museum.

Preserved by Nature: Studying the Spectacular Salt Mummies of Iran

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The saltmen are a group of natural mummies that were discovered in the Chehrabad Salt Mine in Iran. This mine is in the Zanjan Province and located about 340 km (211.27 miles) northwest of Tehran. The men are believed to have died in the salt mine and been naturally preserved by the salt. A total of six saltmen have been discovered over the years and they belong to different eras, including the Achaemenid and Sasanian periods.

Discovering the First Saltman

In 1994, commercial salt mining operations were being carried out in the Chehrabad Salt Mine when the first saltman was discovered. Along with his mummified remains, several artifacts, including iron knives and a gold earring, were also uncovered.

This saltman is easily recognized due to his long white hair and beard. His head is currently on display in a glass case in the National Museum of Iran (in Tehran). It has been estimated that the man lived around 1700 years ago, during the time of the Sasanian Empire, and died sometime between the ages of 35 and 40.

Head of Saltman 1 on display at National Museum of Iran in Tehran.

Head of Saltman 1 on display at National Museum of Iran in Tehran. (Public Domain)

Studying the Saltmen

In the following years more saltmen were discovered. In 2004, another saltman was found by miners, and an emergency excavation campaign was undertaken. Saltmen were also discovered in 2005, and the most recent mummy was uncovered in 2007. It is believed that the men lost their lives in the mine as a result of mining accidents. Whilst the first saltman is being kept in the National Museum of Iran, the subsequent four were brought to the Zanjan Archaeology Museum. The sixth saltman has been left in-situ.  

1700 Year old Salt an discovered in Iran by kzkz

The discovery of the saltmen has allowed archaeologists to get a glimpse into the lives of these ancient salt miners, and much scientific research has been conducted on the mummies, as well as the mine itself, since they were discovered more than two decades ago. Areas in which such research is being performed include archaeobotany, archaeozoology, isotope analysis, mining archaeology and physical anthropology.

These studies have been helped archaeologists to gain a better understanding of ancient mining practices. For example, by examining the various artifacts and ecofacts in their stratigraphic layers, three different mining phases, namely Achaemenid, Sasanian, and Islamic, have been distinguished.

Remains of Saltman 3, one of the Saltmen found in 2004, on display in Zanjan.

Remains of Saltman 3, one of the Saltmen found in 2004, on display in Zanjan. (Mardetanha/CC BY SA 3.0)

Further research has shown that mining practices were organized differently during these periods. It was found, for instance, that during the Sasanian period, mining was established in the surrounding area, and that, based on isotopic data, supply was organized on a regional basis. By comparison, during the Achaemenid period, it seems that there were foreign miners working in the salt mine, and that the mine was accessed from areas further away, i.e. the miners did not settle within the vicinity of their workplace.

Such studies have also helped revise certain accepted facts about the saltmen. For instance, it is generally reported that six saltmen have been discovered so far. However, anatomical analysis of the mummies has revealed that some body parts, which were initially thought to have belonged to a single individual, were in fact from different bodies. Thus, it has been suggested that the number of saltmen should actually be counted as eight, or even more.

Left shoe and lower leg of Saltman 1 on display at Iran Bastan Museum.

Left shoe and lower leg of Saltman 1 on display at Iran Bastan Museum. (Davide Mauro/CC BY SA 4.0)

Saving the Saltmen

Whilst much scientific study on the saltmen and the salt mine has been carried out, there is a lack of conservation and preservation of the mummified remains. In a report from 2009, it was mentioned that the mummies were being displayed in Plexiglas cases that were not hermetically sealed. As a result of changes in air temperature and pressure, cracks have appeared in the cases. This, in turn, allowed bacteria and insects to enter them, causing damage to the mummies.

Nevertheless, measures are reported to have been taken to ensure that the saltmen do not undergo further deterioration. In the same report, it was said that plans for making permanent cases for the saltmen have been completed, and the necessary funds for the construction of the encasings should be found.

Remains of Saltman 2 on display in Zanjan. One of the Saltmen found in 2004.

Remains of Saltman 2 on display in Zanjan. One of the Saltmen found in 2004. (Mardetanha/CC BY SA 3.0)

Top image: Salt man - Iran Baastan museum. Source: Nasser-sadeghi/CC BY 3.0

By Wu Mingren                               

References

Aali, A. et al., 2016. Ancient salt mining and salt men: the interdisciplinary Chehrabad Douzlakh project in north-western Iran. [Online]
Available at: http://antiquity.ac.uk/projgall/aali333/

Atlas Obscura, 2016. Salt Men of Iran. [Online]
Available at: http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/salt-men-iran

Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum, 2016. The Salt Men of Zanjan. [Online]
Available at: http://www.bergbaumuseum.de/index.php/en/research/projects/early-mining-landscapes/salt-men-zanjan

Hearn, K., 2007. Ancient "Salt Cured" Man Found in Iranian Mine. [Online]
Available at: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/07/070703-salt-man.html

NetNative, 2009. Alarm bells for Iran's "salt men". [Online]
Available at: http://www.payvand.com/news/09/feb/1159.html

www.saltmen-iran.com, 2016. Chehrabad Saltmummy & Saltmine Exploration Project. [Online]
Available at: http://www.saltmen-iran.com/tiki-index.php

 

Comments

Pete Wagner's picture

Makes you wonder what happened to the ancient fair-haired people of that region.  I doubt they would have left these young men down in there if it was just an isolated accident.

Nobody gets paid to tell the truth.

Charles Bowles's picture

Saltman mummified in naturally in salt mines by accident..  So salt can naturally mummify human bodies after death, wow, I learn something new everyday..

Charles Bowles

dhwty's picture

Wu

Wu Mingren (‘Dhwty’) has a Bachelor of Arts in Ancient History and Archaeology. Although his primary interest is in the ancient civilizations of the Near East, he is also interested in other geographical regions, as well as other time periods.... Read More

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