Construction of a Trading Center on 6000-Year-Old Site - Archaeological and Cultural News of the Iranian World

LONDON, (CAIS) -- According to cultural heritage enthusiasts association in the religious city of Qom, the skeleton of a giant trading centre has been erected on a 6000-year-old archaeological site in Qom.

The construction of this trading centre has not only have destroyed the historical evidence in this part of city of Qom but has also has intruded the vicinity of two historic houses in ancient context of the city.

Following demolishing a major part of the ancient texture of Qom, the municipality of Qom issued the license for construction of a trading centre in this area due to which, a trading complex will be constructed on 6000-year-old Shad-Qoli archaeological site.

Located in old texture of Qom, Shad Qoli historic site was already damaged severely due to developing civil projects of city of Qom and widening the streets. Archaeological excavations began two years ago, which resulted in discovery of a 6000-year-old settlement in this area.

However, despite the warnings of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization about existing of this historic site, the project of Amar Yaser demolished Shad Qoli during the project for widening the streets.

Prior to construction of this trading centre, after discovery of some historical and cultural remains during the fourth phase of construction of Amar Boulvard, the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department of Qom province (QCHTD) asked Qom’s governor office to stop the project and requested for an opportunity to continue their research in the area. However, the application was denied, the excavation was stopped totally, and the constructors continued their work withy the destruction of Shad Qoli site.

In response to the question that why archaeologists have not attended in the region to save Shad Qoli historic site, Hassan Fazeli Nashli, head of Archaeology Research Centre told Persian service of CHN: “the ground considered to be more valuable as a trading centre than a costly archaeological site in need of preservation.”

Destruction of this ancient site has put an end to the archaeologists’ hope for obtaining further information about the ancient settlers.

The province of Qom is 11,237 km2 (4,339 sq mi) in the north of the Iranian Central Plateau. This province was formed from part of Tehran province in 1995 and its provincial capital is the city of Qom.

The pre-Islamic remaining relics and historical texts confirm that the city in pre-Islamic times was known as Kum, a short name for Kumandan, and it was an ancient rampart destroyed by the Arab invaders in 7^th century CE.

The ancient city probably faced the same fate as the other Iranian cities during the Arab invasion of Iran, i.e. looting, massacre, and ultimate destruction of the city, to the point that many believed the city was constructed during the 9^th century CE.

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

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