UNESCO Continues Helping Archaeological Work in Tchogha- Zanbil

01 April 2005

UNESCO has expressed interest to continue helping the archaeological studies of the world heritage site of Tchoghazanbil, in Khuzestan province, which date to some 3000 years ago.

The second three-year plan of archaeological work on the site is provided and is to be carried out, like the first phase, with cooperation of the Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization, UNESCO, and a Japanese financial institute.

The first phase of studies in Tchoghazanbil was quite successful, encouraging UNESCO to continue its cooperation with ICHTO and the Japanese party. A comprehensive plan has been provided for the second phase of work which includes archaeological activities, conservation, and restoration of the historical remains and is starting in the new Iranian year.

During this year, the artifacts discovered in the area are to be documented, and architectural remains around the ziggurat and the materials used, including clay, mud, and brick, are to be identified and studied, explains head of the restoration workshop of Tchogha Zanbil , Hamid Fadayi.

According to Fadayi, the second phase of work on the site will take three years and includes complementary specialized work, as in the first three years only the damages to the site were restored.

Tchogha Zanbil is a 3000-year-old ziggurat some kilometers out of Susa ancient city, which was inscribed as a World Heritage in 1978. The ziggurat originally had seven stories, but today only two and half of it remain. Even so, the site enjoys great splendor and is known as one of world’s unique historical sites.

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