Marlik, Archaeological site in Gilan Province, Iran
Marlik is an archaeological site in Gilan Province containing more than fifty ancient graves of different sizes, from small pits to large structures built with stone slabs. The excavated areas show various burial patterns and hold remains spanning multiple periods of human activity.
This royal cemetery dates to the 2nd millennium BCE and reveals the metalworking skills of early Iranian societies. The burials contain gold objects indicating a sophisticated civilization that already conducted long-distance trade.
The people who lived here spoke an Iranian language and came from Central Asia to settle in this region. Their social divisions appear in the burial styles, from simple graves to elaborate stone structures.
The site sits on a mound near Roudbar in an agricultural landscape with olive groves and fruit gardens, making the setting scenic and accessible. Different pathways across the terrain allow visitors to move around freely and view the excavation areas.
A pure gold vessel called the Marlik Cup was discovered here, decorated with detailed designs showing the skill of ancient artisans. Such carefully crafted gold pieces were rare and owned only by the most important members of that society.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
