Foreign Experts Talk of Siraf History

News Category: Cultural

(CHN) – Discussing the trade and historical importance of Siraf is the top agenda, insisted upon by a lot of attendants of the international conference.

“Siraf international seminar has a special importance for Iranians, because until today just Iranologists and archaeologists knew about this historical site, leaving public people unfamiliar with the cultural and trade importance of Siraf port. Maybe people consider it just as a piece of land which contains some historical remains, while this piece of land actually has a close liaison with the history of Iran,” told William Flor, an Iranologist from Netherlands participating in Siraf seminar to CHN correspondence.

Flor also believes that the seminar will act as a reminder to Iranians that the historical site of Siraf belongs to their ancestors and should be preserved.

Sera Jennings, archaeologist and Iranologist from Britain who participated in the archaeological excavations under the supervision of David Whitehouse in Bushehr, 36 years ago and was one of the academic members of the team, is another attendant of the seminar.

Jennings, who is an expert in historical glass objects, expressed her joy of coming once more to Siraf, “In Whitehouse archaeological team, I was supposed to study objects, especially glass articles, which were unearthed during excavations.
Pieces such as designed stone dishes and some bowls and glass dishes which were used for drinking were the most beautiful discovered articles in Siraf. These articles attracted the attention of archaeologists at that time. They were important both in trade and cultural aspects. Articles which were created by the ancient people of Siraf port indicate the importance of the port during the ancient times,” Jennings told CHN.

Ivory objects from east of Africa, some pieces of stones from India, and lapis from Afghanistan, were among the articles discovered during the archaeological excavations 36 years ago in Siraf. About cultural similarities between Siraf civilization and Al Koush civilization of Oman, Jennings explained, “Although there is not any similarity between these two civilizations, but there have been found some evidence from Siraf in the area, and some comparative studies should be carried out on these two civilizations.”

Jennifer Scarce, professor of the college of designing and art from Dandi University, and cultural expert of the Middle East from Britain, in a talk with CHN described the seminar as a starting point for paying attention to this historical port. He said, “Holding the seminar was a big step toward attracting the attention of the people and Iranian authorities to Siraf. I hope am certain that with more attention to this historical site, Siraf port can be turned into an important tourism center.”
In 1939, he was in the archaeological team of Siraf excavations and studied on the discovered plaster works in Siraf.

“The plaster works which were found in an ancient house in Siraf in 1939 were unique and marvelous,” added Scarce.

Scarce suggested that bilingual and pictorial guides be provided with information about the historical site of Siraf to people and tourists to make them familiar with the importance of the port, introducing the region as comprehensively as possible and encouraging people to do their best in preserving this historical port.

The seminar, which aims to introduce the cultural and trade position of Siraf port and introducing its importance and capacities in establishing mutual relations with the domestic and foreign research centers, started in Bushehr yesterday. Some domestic and foreign experts attended the seminar, who will deliver their essays on Siraf port in the seminar.

International conference of Siraf is a proof of Iran’s strategic interests in the Persian Gulf region. Experts are looking for regenerating Siraf’s position in Iran’s international trade with eastern Asia and Africa, and introducing the scientific and historical status of the region in the Islamic world.

Siraf is located on the northern shore of the Persian Gulf. According to the coins discovered recently in the region, the port dates back to the Parthian era. Siraf was one of the most important geopolitical regions in the Persian Gulf during ancient times.