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CAIS ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL NEWS^©

22 September 2005

The main concern with the flooding of Sivand Dam is the effects of humidity changes on the historical site of Pasargadae. But even that could not be severe due to the existence of a gorge between the Dam Lake and Pasargadae complex, announced head of Parse-Pasargadae Research Institute in a press conference.

Considering the drowning of 130 historical sites and Kings Road in Bolaghi Gorge, Talebian, head of the Parse-Pasargadae Research Institute, explained, “Despite the rumors that Pasargadae will drown following the Sivand Damn being flooded, we announce with strong certainty that it is not true. This historical monument is located 7 kilometers from the lake and more than 25 meters above the highest level of lake water.”

“The main concern here is the air dampness resulting from the lake that threatens the site,” added Talebian.

Parse-Pasargadae Research Institute is planning for emergency excavations in 48 parts of Pasargadae historical site. Illegal excavations already carried out on 24 parts of the site have erased some evidence of the site. 12 spots have been excavated in the site for now, and 4 further ones are under excavation.

Talebian believes that regarding the gorge between the lake and Pasargadae, the dampness may not be a real threat to the monument.

The 18 kilometers Bolaghi Gorge is located 4 kilometers from the World Heritage Site of Pasargadae and is considered part of its historical landscape in Fars province. Experts believe that there parts of the King Road, carved in the rocks, and considered the most important historical road of Iran, constructed by order of Darius, the Achaemenid King, remains in the Gorge.

Following the news of Sivand dam in Bolaghi Gorge, Fars province, being flooded in the near future, a widespread rumor has spread around the world of Pasargadae site being in serious danger of being inundated and destructed.

The construction plan of Sivand damn began in 1992 and experts and archaeologists have been working round the clock in an international salvation project.

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