Tehran – Iranian Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Crafts, Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri highlighted the global importance of the ancient civilization of Giroft and called for greater efforts to introduce historic and cultural values to the world.
On Thursday, during a visit to the area hosting some of Iran’s most important Bronze Age archaeological sites, Salehi Amiri highlighted the need to preserve and promote the Jiroft as a key centre for early human civilizations.
At a meeting of the Administrative Council in Jiroft, Salehi-Amiri highlighted the region’s deep historical roots, noting that Jiroft is not just a city, but a symbol of identity, history and civilization. “If other countries own such a civilization, they will build a national economy around it. Unfortunately, we have not yet fully presented the civilized values of Giroft to the world,” he said.
The Minister also emphasized the importance of the archaeological site of Konasandar, describing it as not more than just an excavation area, but as a cornerstone of Iran’s cultural identity. “Konar Sandal is not just a collection of bricks and soils. It represents Iran’s honor and historical fame. The site is one of the important places in human history, and requires a comprehensive plan for its preservation and promotion,” he said.
2025 International Conference on Jiroft Civilization
One of the key initiatives highlighted by Salehi-Amiri was the organization of the 2025 International Conference on Jiroft Civilization. He described the event as an important step towards scientific and global recognition of Jiroft’s historical importance.
“Many archaeologists, both nationally and internationally, believe that the area may be the origin of human settlements. If this hypothesis is proven, it could challenge existing theories of placing Mesopotamia as a cradle of civilization, leading to revolution in the field of archaeology,” Salehi Amiri said.
He called on local and national authorities, academics and community leaders to work together to ensure the success of this landmark event.
Efforts to repatriate Jiroft’s stolen artifacts
Addressing the issue of Jiroft’s looted artifacts, Salehi-Amiri acknowledged that many incredibly valuable objects in the region are now scattered across major museums around the world. “We are actively pursuing the repatriation of these artifacts through legal channels and international organizations such as UNESCO,” he argued.
The Minister emphasized the urgent need for a dedicated museum in Giroft to properly accommodate and display the archaeological discoveries of the area. “A museum serves as an identification card for any civilization. You will need to use existing facilities to showcase these valuable artifacts until the proper museum is fully established,” he added.
Tourism as an important driver for Jiroft’s development
Salehi-Amiri also pointed to the immense potential of tourism in Giroft and proposed development as a major economic driver for the region. “The tourism potential of Giloft transcends archaeology and history. It boasts unique opportunities in agriculture, ecotourism, culinary tourism and cultural tourism. We have identified 20 different tourism sectors in Iran, and Giloft retains exceptional capabilities in many of them,” he pointed out.
Compared to Iran’s tourism industry and (some) neighbouring countries, he said: Jiroft has its rich heritage and natural beauty, and deserves a significant share of Iran’s tourism industry. ”
Further archaeological research and discoveries
The Minister also emphasized the importance of ongoing archaeological excavations in the Giroft area. “So far, we have discovered less than 10% of Jiroft’s hidden treasures. More research and excavation is essential to fully understand the depth of this civilization,” he emphasized.
He highlighted recent discoveries that have already expanded scholars’ understanding of ancient Iran, and expressed optimism that future discoveries will further strengthen the place of Giroft in world history. “We imagine an era in which Iranian museums are filled with Jiroft’s newly unearthed artifacts and show off their grandeur,” he said.
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