Thursday,
10 May 2001
KERMANSHAH
-- The managing director of the Cultural Heritage
Organization of Kermanshah, addressing journalists
in this western city, said the third phase of
excavations in ancient and historical Bistun
region by Iranian archaeologists has began.
Assadollah Biranvand said the
excavations are to last for two months. He said
the excavations are restricted to the "Khosrow
Palace" -- the residence of the famous
Sasanid king -- and part of the research is due to
be concentrated on archaeological remains of the
Ilkhanid period which is noted for its
caravanserais.
"The objective behind this
research and excavation is renovation, maintenance
and revival of historical monuments which have
destroyed in the course of history or because of
changes in weather conditions," Biranvand
said.
He
said the Bistun region enjoys tremendous
importance as during the Stone Age and up to the
Achaemenid era it was part of the route from East
to West traversed by caravans otherwise known as
the "Gate of Asia". The Bistun
historical monument is situated 30 kilometers east
of the city of Kermanshah.
