TEHRAN – The ruined Ortan Fortress, a vast mud-brick complex located in northwestern Iran, has been identified as a site of significant historical value with the potential for UNESCO World Heritage Site registration, a government official said. Iranian archaeologists told IRNA on Saturday.
Rouhollah Mohammadi, head of the archeology group at the Ardabil Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, said the site is the largest adobe site in northwest Iran.
Located on the Aras River near the town of Ortan in Parsabad province, this fort contains a rich collection of historical features. These include cemeteries dating back to the first millennium BC, the Ortan Tappe (representing the Parthian and Sassanid periods), the central citadel of Ortan Karasi (straddling the Sasanian, early Islamic, Seljuk and Ilkhanid periods), and the outer industrial and housing. Area from the 2nd century to the 7th century. Archaeological research suggests that the site once covered more than two square kilometers, and early Islamic texts identify it as the historic city of Varsan. Masu.
Archaeological research at Hortan began in 1971 and included ten seasons of exploration, excavation, and geophysical studies. These efforts revealed the vast layout of the fortress and its evolution through multiple civilizations.
In 2019, a detailed map of the site boundaries was formally created to ensure protection, and further revisions to strengthen protection measures were approved in 2023. Construction within the core area of the site is strictly prohibited, but regulated tourist facilities are allowed in the buffer zone.
Furthermore, other experts frequently highlight the site’s potential as a tourist destination, likening its importance to Iran’s UNESCO World Heritage Site Arghe Bam.
“The importance of the Ortan Fortress and its surrounding cultural landscape is on a par with that of the Bam Citadel… Thus, if approved to become a national archaeological base, Ortan will be a great destination for domestic and international tourists. It has great potential to become an important destination,” said Sheikh Fardin Eini.
Efforts are underway to designate Fort Ortan as a national heritage site and establish a collaborative international archaeological team to further investigate, restore and preserve the site. “With further research and conservation, Ortan Fortress could be inscribed on the World Heritage List and transformed into a major cultural destination,” Mohammadi said.
Located 12 kilometers from Parsabad and 500 meters west of the village of Ortan, the fort is located on the Aras River, an important historical and geographical feature of the region. Its strategic location and architectural grandeur highlight its importance as a cultural and historical landmark.
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