Knight-Dragon
Sep 02, 2004, 11:14 PM
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http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=8/31/2004&Cat=10&Num=007
Tehran Times Culture Desk
TEHRAN (MNA) –- Three archaeological teams from France, Germany, and Poland are traveling to Iran to help Iranian experts save the Tang-e Bolaghi mountain pass, part of the historical site of Pasargadae which may be submerged under water in less than two years.
Located 4 kilometers from Pasargadae, the mountain pass was once the major route connecting Pasargadae to Persepolis, while now it faces the threat of being submerged.
A dam is currently being constructed on the Polvar River, which will flood the entire Tang-e Bolaghi mountain pass and the surrounding region.
Construction of the Sivand Dam on the Polvar River began in 1992 without consultation with Cultural Heritage Organization officials.
The main opening of the dam is about 17 kilometers from the major archaeological site of Pasargadae. Experts believe that the dam will not only ruin the historical mountain pass but will also destroy the ancient site of Pasargadae.
Following an international call for papers, three teams from archaeological institutes of France, Germany, and Poland which had previously done research in the region have been asked to help protect the historical site.
According to Masud Azarnush, the director of the Archaeology Center of the Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO), the French experts have been invited to do more research on the ancient relics of the Achaemenid era, while the German team is to help identify metals and ancient metalworking furnaces. Azarnush also stated that protecting the area is of great importance, adding, “We will begin the work with three teams of Iranian and foreign archaeologists, and (eventually) there will be a total of five teams. We hope to gather and record as much information as we can during the time left before the dam comes on stream.”
Experts believe that the water stored in the dam’s reservoir will increase humidity, which will later damage the foundations of the palaces as well as the Tomb of Cyrus the Great, said Babak Kiyal, the director of the Pasargadae Historical Complex. “The area is home to 84 historical sites, including ancient mounds, metalworking furnaces, caves and shelters, stone tombs of former governors of Fars, two group graves from the Parthian era, an exclusive 4-kilometer royal road paved with stones, as well as several other historical sites which will be submerged under water if the dam becomes operational,” added Kiyal.
Jalal Jame’i, the executive manager of the dam project, explained that the Fars Water Organization and the Energy Ministry are required to complete the project by March 21, 2005 with no delay, and only high-ranking officials can make decisions on the issue.
Pasargadae is one of only five Iranian historical sites registered on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
Pasargadae was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list at the 28th session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's World Heritage Committee held on July 1, 2004 in Suzhoui, China.
The first great development of ancient Persian architecture took place under the Achaemenid dynasty during the Persian Empire, from about 550 to 330 B.C. Remains of Achaemenian architecture are numerous, the earliest being ruins at Pasargadae, the capital city of Cyrus the Great.
These ruins include two palaces, a sacred precinct, a citadel, a tower, and the tomb of Cyrus. The palaces were set in walled gardens and contained central columnar halls, the largest of which was 37 m (111 ft) in length. The proportions of the principal rooms varied from square to rectangular.
Walls were constructed of mud brick; foundations, doorways, columns, and pedestals along the walls were made of stone. Columns were capped with stone blocks carved with depictions of horses or lions with horns, placed back to back. The roof was flat and was probably made of wood.
The sacred precinct consisted of a walled court containing two altars and a rectangular stepped platform. The tower was a tall rectangular structure built of yellow limestone; a contrasting black limestone was used for the doorway. The tomb of Cyrus is a small gabled stone building placed on a stepped platform. The surrounding columns were placed there during the Islamic era.
http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=8/31/2004&Cat=10&Num=007
Tehran Times Culture Desk
TEHRAN (MNA) –- Three archaeological teams from France, Germany, and Poland are traveling to Iran to help Iranian experts save the Tang-e Bolaghi mountain pass, part of the historical site of Pasargadae which may be submerged under water in less than two years.
Located 4 kilometers from Pasargadae, the mountain pass was once the major route connecting Pasargadae to Persepolis, while now it faces the threat of being submerged.
A dam is currently being constructed on the Polvar River, which will flood the entire Tang-e Bolaghi mountain pass and the surrounding region.
Construction of the Sivand Dam on the Polvar River began in 1992 without consultation with Cultural Heritage Organization officials.
The main opening of the dam is about 17 kilometers from the major archaeological site of Pasargadae. Experts believe that the dam will not only ruin the historical mountain pass but will also destroy the ancient site of Pasargadae.
Following an international call for papers, three teams from archaeological institutes of France, Germany, and Poland which had previously done research in the region have been asked to help protect the historical site.
According to Masud Azarnush, the director of the Archaeology Center of the Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO), the French experts have been invited to do more research on the ancient relics of the Achaemenid era, while the German team is to help identify metals and ancient metalworking furnaces. Azarnush also stated that protecting the area is of great importance, adding, “We will begin the work with three teams of Iranian and foreign archaeologists, and (eventually) there will be a total of five teams. We hope to gather and record as much information as we can during the time left before the dam comes on stream.”
Experts believe that the water stored in the dam’s reservoir will increase humidity, which will later damage the foundations of the palaces as well as the Tomb of Cyrus the Great, said Babak Kiyal, the director of the Pasargadae Historical Complex. “The area is home to 84 historical sites, including ancient mounds, metalworking furnaces, caves and shelters, stone tombs of former governors of Fars, two group graves from the Parthian era, an exclusive 4-kilometer royal road paved with stones, as well as several other historical sites which will be submerged under water if the dam becomes operational,” added Kiyal.
Jalal Jame’i, the executive manager of the dam project, explained that the Fars Water Organization and the Energy Ministry are required to complete the project by March 21, 2005 with no delay, and only high-ranking officials can make decisions on the issue.
Pasargadae is one of only five Iranian historical sites registered on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
Pasargadae was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list at the 28th session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's World Heritage Committee held on July 1, 2004 in Suzhoui, China.
The first great development of ancient Persian architecture took place under the Achaemenid dynasty during the Persian Empire, from about 550 to 330 B.C. Remains of Achaemenian architecture are numerous, the earliest being ruins at Pasargadae, the capital city of Cyrus the Great.
These ruins include two palaces, a sacred precinct, a citadel, a tower, and the tomb of Cyrus. The palaces were set in walled gardens and contained central columnar halls, the largest of which was 37 m (111 ft) in length. The proportions of the principal rooms varied from square to rectangular.
Walls were constructed of mud brick; foundations, doorways, columns, and pedestals along the walls were made of stone. Columns were capped with stone blocks carved with depictions of horses or lions with horns, placed back to back. The roof was flat and was probably made of wood.
The sacred precinct consisted of a walled court containing two altars and a rectangular stepped platform. The tower was a tall rectangular structure built of yellow limestone; a contrasting black limestone was used for the doorway. The tomb of Cyrus is a small gabled stone building placed on a stepped platform. The surrounding columns were placed there during the Islamic era.