Ignorance & Carelessness to Ruin Bistun’s Inscription - Archaeological and Cultural News of the Iranian World

LONDON, (CAIS) -- Studies conducted by the executive committee of Bistun (Behiston, Baghestān) world heritage site revealed the existence of several rivulets flowing in the horizontal cracks of the Darius the Great' inscription, which is posing serious threats to this heritage site, reported by Cultural Heritage News Agency (CHN) on Monday.

This is while Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO) has not yet considered any budget to protect these cultural heritages. Experts have repeatedly warned that negligence toward the Bistun would result in destruction of this 2500-year-old historical site.

Darius the Great’ inscription is only one of few inscriptions carved on this mountain. It marks the birth of the Aryan (Old-Persian) script and is one of the most invaluable cultural evidences of the Achaemenid dynastic period (550–330 BCE).

According to Abdolazim Shahkarami, geophysicist and member of Bistun’s executive committee, penetration of water into the horizontal cracks in the inscription has caused serious damages to this world heritage site. “Restoring the cracks to prevent the leaking of water, and scraping and restoring the stone slab that is located on top of the inscription to prevent the flow of water and flow onto the inscription are among the most important measures which must be taken as soon as possible to save the inscription of Bistun. We are still waiting for the budget to start the salvation project of Bistun’s inscription,” said Shahkarami.

Shahkarami emphasized that restoring the stone slab which was placed above the inscription to protect it from water erosion is the first priority in saving the Bistun inscription since this stone itself is being damaged and needs to be repaired.

According to Maliheh Mehdiabadi, director of Bistun grand project, the request for allocation of budget to restoration works on Bistun was submitted to ICHTO more than two months ago; however, the Organization has not responded to this request yet.

Located 30 kilometers northeast of Kermanshah, the historical site of Bistun consists of numerous valuable historical remains such as the Median Temple, Darius the inscription, post-Achaemenid statue of Hercules, and number of Sasanian monuments. It is considered a unique historical site in the world. The most important features of the complex are its Babylonian and Elamite cuneiforms.

Last July, Bistun was registered in the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites based on a decision made by the World Heritage Committee on its 30th session, held in Lithuania. Bistun is the 8^th Persian heritage inscribed in UNESCO’s list.

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

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