Pieces of pottery attributed to the Dalma culture were found during excavations at Nadali Beig Hill, Kermanshah Province of Iran. The monochromatic and painted pottery is dated to the 5th millennium BC.

The excavations were conducted due to possible danger to the site from the construction of the nearby dam over the Jamishan river. Archaeologists revealed that the thickness of the cultural layers of the site is over four metres thick and dates from Middle Stone Age to Chalcolithic. Excavations revealed Prehistoric housing structures, buildings related with industrial activities, and a large number of pieces of various vessels. The objects included pieces of coloured Dalma culture vessels. Dalma pottery tradition included illustrated pottery, pottery with volumetric carving, pressure, punchy and added decorations, as well as simple pottery covered with thick red mud. Such finds are found  on a relatively vast area from north-west Iran to Central Zagros Mountains. According to the researchers the site must have been an important settlement in 5th millennium BC. In Islamic Era part of the hill was used as a cemetery, of which burials were also found.

(after Islamic Republic News Agency)