Tehran, Dec 29: Excavations at the ruins of the Siraf city in Iran indicate that the first mosque in the region was built in the 9th century AD.

The ancient city of Siraf is located 220 kilometers south-east of Bushehr and approximately 380 kilometers west of Bandar Abbas.

According to a report in Press TV, other findings at the site like Islamic gravestones, the resting place of the Muslim scholar Ibn Sibeveyh, and a number of Towers of Silence and Zoroastrian temples portray the region's religious diversity throughout history.

Earlier, the discovery of east African ivory objects, Indian stone pieces, and Afghan lapis confirmed the use of the historic port as the main marine trade route during the pre-Islamic era and the first four centuries following the advent of Islam.

However, when trade routes shifted to the Red Sea, the ancient port was gradually forgotten.  

One hundred 35-130 meter deep stone wells and graves at the foot of the mountains surrounding the city are among some of Siraf's other unique archeological sites.

Siraf city is noted for its many historic sites dating back to the Sassanid, Parthian and Islamic eras. (ANI)