However, the problem Naserifard is currently facing is not scientific but purely political in nature: due to sanctions imposed by the US against Iran, the archaeologist simply can’t get his hands on equipment necessary to date his find, according to Sputnik Persian.
It should be noted that a team of Dutch archaeologists studied the drawings in 2008 and concluded that they may have been made over 40,000 years ago.
Researchers also believe that other similar drawings may be located nearby.
مجموعه ای از سنگ نگاره های کهن ایران زمین که از جاهای مختلف ایران هست به همت دکتر ناصری فرد https://t.co/FHihE83CNv pic.twitter.com/saTCh8iizt
— sabz (@777sabz) 13 декабря 2016 г.
"I was so happy when I found these drawings! They’re a real treasure!" Naserifard exclaimed.
The archaeologist believes that his discovery will help prove that prehistoric art came into being before the migration from the Middle East began. This hypothesis may in fact explain why ancient cave drawings with similar motifs were found in places located thousands of kilometers from each other, like California, Spain and South Africa.
گزارشی از کشفیات دکتر محمد ناصری فرد و سنگ‌نگاره‌های مناطق مرکزی ایران و طبقه بندی و فهرست نگاری آنها در سوئیسhttps://t.co/ZmhThDgmov pic.twitter.com/7WhOtxwFjk
— Koroush | کورش (@kooroosh) 11 декабря 2016 г.
"This discovery is very important. There are many blank spots on the archaeologcial map, and finds such as this help fill them," notable Canadian paleoanthropologist Genevieve von Petzinger said.
According to Naserifard, since 2002 he managed to find over 50,000 ancient cave drawings and engravings during archaeological expeditions in Iran’s regions.
محمد ناصری فرد باستان شناس ایرانی و تحقیق روی سنگ نگاره هایی با قدمت احتمالی ده ها هزار ساله در کوه های اطراف شهر خمین که خیلی خبرساز شده pic.twitter.com/tDJQD0FgF7
— sabz (@777sabz) 13 декабря 2016 г.
