Ultan Qalasi cemetery is located in the vicinity of Ultan Qalasi historical area of Mughan plain in Ardabil province. This cemetery was discovered during the road construction operation and after rescue excavation, 100 graves were identified and documented. The mentioned cemetery is considered as one of the most important cemeteries discovered from the Sassanid period and the beginning of Islam in the north-western region of Iran. The results of the findings of this cemetery can be very helpful in completing a part of the study gap related to the late historical and early Islamic period, especially from the point of view of ritual-religious researches of the communities of this area. The current research is the result of field activity of a season of archaeological exploration and library studies and seeks to answer the following questions: 1- Which cultural period(s) does Ultan Qalasi cemetery belong to? 2- How can the study significance of Ultan Qalasi cemetery be explained in recognizing a part of the religious beliefs of the communities in the region? In this article, along with the description and chronological presentation of the cultural materials of the graves, the analysis of the burial traditions is done in order to recognize part of the ritual-religious beliefs of the communities surrounded by Ultan Qalasi. The results of the research specified. Based on this, the cultural materials, especially the silver coins found in the cemetery, belong to the Sassanid era (Hormoz II and after) and the early Islamic period. Burial in a pit (earth bed) is contrary to Zoroastrian traditions, which reflects the continuation of the burial tradition of the pre-Essatian era of the region. Therefore, it seems that the influence of Zoroastrian religion was weak in border areas and local beliefs were more common.

Ultan Qalasi cemetery, Moghan plain, Sassanid era burial, Hormuz II, early Islam, coffin burial.