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<< Sites under Threat >> Illegal diggers smash ancient Iranian artifacts

Submitted by coldrum on Wednesday, 06 December 2006  Page Views: 6289

Site WatchCountry: Iran Archeological excavations in the 3000-year-old cemetery of Babajilan in western Iranian province of Lorestan had to be put off due to heavy rains and snows in the mountainous regions of the province where the ancient cemetery is located. This is while illegal diggers continue to destroy large numbers of ancient bronze relics which abound in this cemetery.

A few weeks ago, a group of archeologists were dispatched by Iran's Archeology Research Center to the Iron Age cemetery of Babajilan to study the area and prevent further plundering of the site by illegal diggers. However, after only 18 days during which archeologists were busy collecting the broken pieces of bronze artifacts dug out by illegal diggers, they had to return since heavy blizzard made continuation of their work almost impossible.

The Iron Age cemetery of Babajilan has many times been plundered by illegal diggers and, according to Ata Hassanpour, archeologist of Lorestan's Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department, the cemetery is now full of ancient artifacts destroyed as a result of illegal activities. "Illegal diggers understandably have no trainings in how an artifact must be unearthed without being damaged and therefore cause lots of harms to these ancient relics while digging," said Hassanpour. In addition, he noted that many of ancient relics unearthed by the smugglers are destroyed further once in contact with the air for too long. On the other hand, since large numbers of artifacts found in Lorestan's historic sites are made of bronze, they easily oxidize after few days of exposure in open air.

More: CHN Agency
Contributor Bio for coldrum: Based in Milkyway, contributing since 2002. Favourite site: Avebury.

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"Illegal diggers smash ancient Iranian artifacts" | Login/Create an Account | 1 comment
  
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3000-Year-Old Babajilan Cemetery to Be Excavated by coldrum on Tuesday, 22 May 2007
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3000-Year-Old Babajilan Cemetery to Be Excavated

The cemetery of Babajilan dating back to the Iron Age (1400-550 BC) will be excavated by archeologists within two months. Illegal excavation in this site has already posed real harm to this 3000-year-old cemetery.

“Since a large destruction have been posed to Babajilan historical cemetery due to activities of illegal diggers, an archeology team has been dispatched to the area by getting the approval of Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO). However due to inappropriate climatic condition of the area and heavy rains and snows in the mountainous regions of Lorestan province, the excavations were wrapped up incomplete to be picked up later. During previous excavations archeologists succeeded in gathering some historical relics which were remained from plunders in the area,” said Ata Hassanpour, archeologist of Lorestan’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department to CHN.

Location of Babijilan in a mountainous region in Lorestan province has made the accessibility to this historical cemetery very difficult, which is why preservation of this cemetery against possible damages caused by illegal diggers, most of whom are local inhabitants is so difficult.


According to Hassanpour, different parts of this cemetery have been plundered so far by illegal diggers and the archeology team hopes to rescue the remains of historical relics which have been survived. “Bronze daggers, jars and earthen relics were among the objects which have been gathered in this historic site”, added Hassanpour

The excavations in this site will be supported by authorities of Lorestan province and a team of archeologists are in charge of carrying out excavations in this historic site.

Babijilan cemetery in Lorestan province which dates back to Iron Age (550-1350) is an evidence of flourishing of bronze industry in this province.
http://www.chnpress.com/news/?section=2&id=7073


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