Qom's Awqaf (Endowments) Department and Destruction Ancient Qoli Darvish Teppe

20 July 2005

Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO) has lodged a protest with the Awqaf (Endowments) Department in the city of Qom against construction works at the ancient mound of Qoli Darvish.

The organization said in a statement that the mound is a cultural heritage site and the Awqaf Department has no right to construct an office building at Qoli Darvish mound, reported CHN.

An official in charge of archeological excavations at Qoli Darvish mound, Siamak Sarlak criticized Awqaf Department for destroying the cultural heritage site for the sake of building an office.

“Qoli Darvish has a history which dates back to the Iron Age. Excavations at the site have, for the first time, unfolded the mysteries of Iron Age architecture. It also led to the unearthing of the first chimney of iron melting workshop indicating an age-old civilization which can be traced back to the Iron Age,“ Sarlak said.

He deplored that a major section of the unique mound was leveled while building the Qom-Jamkaran highway.

“More than 90 percent of the hill was leveled while building the highway and unfortunately, Awqaf Department is destroying the ancient hill by engaging in construction works in the area,“ he added.

“In the course of excavations at the mound last year, we unearthed structures representing Iron Age architecture and the site is of high significance in terms of archeological studies,“ the official said.

Qoli Darvish ancient hill has been registered with ICHTO as a cultural heritage site and the body is entitled to take action to preserve it, Sarlak concluded.