Iranian archeologists have discovered a 1,000-year-old structure in the country's northeastern Khorasan Razavi Province.

The 3x6-meter structure, which was found in a village near the historical city of Tous, is believed to have been built between 1,000 to 1,078 CE.

A Kufic inscription was also found inside the structure, which can be used to determine the exact date of the structure's construction.

“The inscription will be decoded by experts as soon as possible,” Director of the Tous Cultural Heritage Office Siavash Saberi said.

Locals believe the building belonged to one of the rulers of Tous, who encouraged Persian epic poet Ferdowsi to compose his magnum opus Shahnameh (The Book of Kings).

Restoration experts have started refurbishing the structure which was found with a collapsed ceiling and cracked walls. The architectural decorations of the interior of the structure have also been damaged.

TE/HGH