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.CAIS NEWS© ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL NEWS OF THE IRANIAN WORLD |
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New Observatory Blocks the View of Sasanian Niasar Monument
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17 January 2007 |
LONDON,
(CAIS) -- Construction of an observatory for
University of Kashan at a distance of only 50 meters from the domed monument of
Niasar has not only intruded the cultural landscape of this historic monument,
belonging to Sasanian dynastic era (224-651 CE), it has also destroyed parts of
the Sasanian fortification surrounded the of the monument.
“In
the past months the Nisar Research Centre of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism
Department (NCHTD) has repeatedly voiced its objections to construction of an
observatory in the vicinity of the Sasanian monument of Niasar. However, the
University ignored all these objections and continued its construction at a
close distance to the ancient monument. The observatory was recently inaugurated
by the University of Kashan,” said Nasser Mashhadizadeh Dahaghani, head of the
Research Centre of the NCHTD to Persian service of CHN.
This
is while in an earlier visit to the Observatory when it was still under
construction, the deputies of the NCHTD asked the University authorities not to
open the observatory.
According
to Mashadizadeh, the researches undertaken in the vicinity of Niasar Monument,
which according to some experts was an observatory during the Sasanian period,
revealed that this unique structure was surrounded by a fortress during the
Sasanian dynastic era, which the remaining sections had been identified and
documented by experts from NCHTD. Some of those sections are also being
destroyed to facilitate the space for the new construction.
Moreover,
since the architectural style used in construction of the observatory is
remotely different from that of Niasar monument, the building has blemished the
historic texture of Niasar.
The
village of Niasar is located 28 kilometres west of the city of Kashan, Esfahan
province. Niasar’s Sasanian monument is a domed building constructed over a
rock at the highest point of Niasar village which can be seen from afar. This
historic village with its famous square dome dating back to the Sasanian era is
one of Iran’s nominees for UNESCO registration.
The
activities of Islamic Republic’ Mines and Industries Ministry are another
threat to the Niasar monument. The jolts created as a result of exploiting stone
from a nearby query have caused cracks to appear on this monument. Experts have
warned that nothing would remain from this historic monument in a few years
should construction activities continue in the region.
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Extracted From/Source: Cultural Heritage News Agency (CHN) Please
note
the above-news is NOT a "copy & paste" version from
the mentioned-source. The news/article above has been modified with
the following interventions by CAIS: Spelling corrections;
-Rectification and correction of the historical facts and data; -
Providing additional historical information within the text; -Removing any
unnecessary, irrelevant & repetitive information. All these measures have been taken in order to ensure that the published news provided by CAIS is coherent, transparent, accurate and suitable for academics and cultural enthusiasts who visit the CAIS website.
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"History is the Light on the Path to Future" |
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Encyclopaedia Iranica
The British Institute of Persian Studies "Persepolis Reconstructed"
The British Museum
The Royal Asiatic Society
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