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Historical
artifacts unearthed by archeologists face serious threats
due to the lack of a directive to safeguard such items as
well as climatic changes, exposure to pollution and the
absence of an obligation to maintain them under proper
conditions, reported CHN.
Archeologists usually use their own experience in safeguarding
valuable items obtained during excavations rather than being bound
by any legal requirement.
An archeologist at the Maintenance and Research Center of Iran’s
Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO) Shahrzad
Amin-Shirazi pointed out that historical items remain preserved
underground for several hundred years but face the risk of
destruction after they are dug out.
“After being unearthed, historical items are exposed to a variety
of physical factors and pollutants. Some artifacts cannot bear such
drastic environmental changes and face destruction.
“Physical and mechanical pressures, exposure to light, changes in
temperature are among the main factors contributing to the
decomposition of historical items.“
Amin-Shirazi said that some historical items are sensitive to light
and exposure to light would threaten their maintenance. On the other
hand, humidity is another factor which is responsible for the
degeneration of artifacts. In reality, many historical items are
being kept in unsatisfactory conditions, he said.
“To overcome this, archeologists should study the conditions under
which artifacts are preserved underground and create the same state
for maintaining them after they are unearthed.“
Archeologist and member of board of Tarbiat-e Modarres
(instructors’ training) University Hamid Khatib Shahidi said that
there is no action plan for studying the conditions under which
cultural items are preserved underground and a definite formula is
not available for determining their physical and chemical
composition.
He called for drawing up a by-law which will require archeologists
to pay special attention to the maintenance of historical items they
unearth.
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