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Inhabitants
of the villages surrounding the historical site of
Delgan are engaged in unearthing antiques dating
back to 5,000 years ago in an action similar to
harvesting potatoes, reported ISNA.
Mohammad Heidari, head of research team of Espidej
and Delgan, said that unauthorized excavations are
underway in Delgan and that an excavation team
from Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism
Organization (ICHTO) may decide to give priority
to excavations in Delgan.
“Our presence in Delgan will be effective in
bringing unauthorized digging by villagers to an
end,“ he said.
“Unauthorized diggers have plundered artifacts
from the Espidej cultural heritage site and have
even reached the central section of Hamoun and
Jazmourian river banks. They have inflicted heavy
damage to antiques found in the area,“ he said.
The official said that unauthorized diggers are
villagers and dealers from nearby towns who come
to buy the antiques. “They also provide guidance
and since the villagers have no knowledge about
the actual value of the antiques, they sell what
they unearth at a lower price to dealers coming
from towns,“ said Heidari.
“Unfortunately, Sistan-Baluchestan and Kerman
provinces are close to Jazmourian historical site
and the antiques can be found in shallow ground.
There are precious antiques dating back to third
millennium BC,“ he concluded.
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