Tehran – The Minister of Iran’s cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts has encouraged faster archaeological excavations in Istahul, the ancient city of southern Iran, citing the historical importance of the site and the need for strong protection against illegal excavations.
Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri called on Monday by visiting the site, about 5 km from Persepolis, and is considered the birthplace of the Achaemenid dynasty.
“Istakul is a symbol of the historical and cultural continuity of ancient Iran, and it is both a national and international obligation to preserve it,” Salehi Amiri said, according to a statement from the ministry.
The minister warned that fraudulent excavations in the area are at stake to the integrity of the site and called on responsible bodies to respond “with higher sensitivity and speed” to prevent further damage.
Salehi-Amiri said that ongoing scientific archaeological research could reveal hidden layers of Iran’s history and help in creating conservation and development plans for sustainable tourism.
He also urged a accelerated process to engrave ISTAKHR on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, saying that such recognition would raise Iran’s international profile in cultural heritage, attract foreign investment and boost cultural tourism.
The ancient city of Istakur covers about 90 hectares and includes the formation of settlements from Sassanid to the Islamic period. It was once home to palaces, fortress and temples, and served as the royal residence of King Sassanid.
Istakul’s political reputation dates back to 224 AD. Persian nobleman, Aldasil, overthrew the last king of the Parthian Empire, the partisan nobleman, to establish the Sassanid dynasty.
According to the University of Chicago Oriental Institute, geographer Istori wrote that in the 10th century, houses were built of clay, stone or plaster depending on the wealth of their owners.
From an archaeological perspective, Istaful has proven to be an invaluable source of discovery. Among the types of pottery excavated from the Islamic layer, fused pottery is most frequently found. These light green vases are not only of the highest quality, but also demonstrated a unique way to make vases. The top and bottom halves with carved ornaments were always individually fused. Two halves, often showing the same pattern, were combined.
Also, since the Islamic era, pitcher jugs with red, yellow and black flower motifs have been excavated. Unfortunately, excavations at the site only returned a small portion of the famous, extremely rare, polished ceramic container with a golden yellowish body with a metallic luster. There is a lot of controversy about this pottery and whether it was made in Iran or imported from Mesopotamia.
Under the Sasanians, Iranian art experienced a general Renaissance. Architecture often took a grand proportion, including the palaces of Ctesiphon, Firouzabad and Saravan.
Sassanid’s most distinctive and impressive art is the figures carved into steep limestone cliffs such as Shapur (Bishapur), Naksh Erostam, Naksh e Rajab, for example. Metalworking and gem sculptures have become very advanced.
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