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The gate to the collapsed historical Bam
Citadel, the world biggest mud brick structure, thought
to have been looted, was confirmed to have been buried
under the rubble and most probably broken to pieces.
An experienced tour guide well-informed on the ruined
ancient monument and Deputy Head of Bam Cultural
Heritage Association Mahmoud Towhidi in Bam, told IRNA
that pieces of the gate were unearthed while bulldozers
were retrieving the corpses of two of the citadel's
guardsmen.
Meanwhile, Towhidi pointed out that the gate doesn't
have any historical origin. "The gate originally
belonging to the historical Ganj-Ali Khan Complex had
been presented to Bam Citadel in 1972 to protect
it," he added.
According to him, though 75 percent of the citadel has
been demolished, it is repairable. He referred to the
protection of the historical monument's remains by the
Cultural Heritage Guards ever since the earthquake
destroyed it as a timely measure to preserve it.
"According to the latest excavations at the site,
13-cm mud bricks dating back to the Arsacid Dynasty proves that the Citadel is about 2,250 years old.
Stressing that Bam Citadel can be restored, he confirmed
the death of most of the laborers involved in the
excavation process and that the experts and architects
are safe and sound. The author of 'A report on Bam
Citadel', Towhidi reiterated that the restoration of the
monument should be expedited.
The Citadel, purported to be the second largest and most
glamorous historical complex in the country after the
Persepolis was a heritage in which every Iranian could
take pride.
A number of cultural heritage lovers, arriving at the
site on the third day following the catastrophe in Bam
to inspect the collapsed citadel, regretted the calamity
once they observed how grave it was. The destruction of
Bam Citadel is a dual major catastrophe occurring
simultaneous with the big toll taken by the disastrous
quake.
The seriously-harmed 20-hectare citadel originally
founded under the rule of Sassanids (224-637 AD)
consisted of four interconnected fortifications with 48
watchtowers.
Some of its structures dated back to pre-12th-century
period mostly built during the Safavid period
(1502-1722). Looking like a gigantic sand castle, it was
a major attraction for film buffs and tourists.
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