Illegal Diggers Further Destroyed Elamite Birthplace - Archaeological and Cultural News of the Iranian World

LONDON, (CAIS) -- Illegal diggers have once again destroyed part of the historic Susan (Šūšān) Plain in the southwestern Iranian province of Khuzestan, by digging four wells in this area near the present city of Izeh which is considered the birthplace and seat of the Elamite Empire (3400-550 BCE).

"The Susan Plain, located on the banks of Karun (Kārūn) River, with a history that is nearly 4000 years old had previously been destroyed by illegal diggers. The diggers had dug a 9 meter long tunnel to plunder historic relics of the Choqha (Čogā) Hill in this area,” said Faramarz Khushab, president of Izeh’s Cultural Heritage Association.

Regarding the most recent activities by illegal diggers in Susan Plain, Khushab added: “We predict existence of a 2500-year-old fortress in the area destroyed by the smugglers. Unfortunately, the identities of the diggers have not been disclosed and no report is available of the possible plundering of the region’s historic relics.”

Illegal smuggling of ancient relics in this ancient area is not the only factor threatening the archeological sites of Susan Plain. Construction of dams, especially Karun II Dam, has put the thousands of years of history buried in this place in a real jeopardy. With inundation of Karun II, a large number of historic sites generally dated to the Elamite Empire, Achaemenid (550–330 BCE), and Parthian (248 BCE– 224 CE) dynastic periods will drown. Emergency excavations by archeologists are underway in different cities of Khuzestan to save its historic evidence and archeological relics before they are lost forever.

Known as the archeologists’ heaven and the heart of Iran’s archeology due to its vast number of ancient sites and monuments, Khuzestan’s historic sites are among holders of an unbreakable record in the number of illegal activities reported in Iran. The region’s archeological sites have been excavated by smugglers more than 80 times over the past 15 months, making Khuzestan Iran’s most illegally excavated province.

Extracted From/Source: Cultural Heritage News Agency (CHN)

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