The News Section

Communication tower over the Sasanian mound.

LONDON, (CAIS) -- The Islamic Republic Water and Electricity Company has bulldozed and destroyed part of a Sasanian historical mound last week near the city of Ahvaz, the provincial capital of Khuzestan. 

The destruction was carried out by the Mehrab Housing Company for the construction of a high-rise apartment complex, Khuzestan Cultural Heritage Lovers Society (Taryana) announced on Monday.

The company is owned by the provincial department of the Islamic Republic Water and Electricity Company. 

No permission had been granted by the Khuzestan Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department (KCHTHD) for the housing company at the site, Taryana spokesman Mojtaba Gahestuni said. 

The mound, which covers an area of 10 hectares, had already been damaged by the Islamic Republic road construction project, installation of telecommunication poles, other housing projects and  the construction of a vegetable and fish market. 

Last April, experts visited the Asiyeh-Abad (also Āsiyābād) Tappeh (mound) to convince the officials to register it on the National Heritage List and to take action for the security of the site. However, so far, no decision has been reached by the KCHTHD for safeguarding the mound. 

Experts had identified Sasanian dynastic bricks, shards, and pieces of glassware scattered about near the construction projects underway at the site. 

Some archaeologists who have already visited the historical mound, believe that beneath the tappeh, the ruins of a Sasanian dynastic city of Hormoz-Ardeshir are buried, Gahestuni said. 

The government controlled KCHTCHD has not taken any measures to stop the construction projects, demonstrating the organisation’s approval of the destruction of the site. KCHTHD is managed by Mohammad Sadeqi, who is notorious for the destruction of a large number of pre-Islamic Iranian heritage sites in the province.

Original news bulletin published by Mehr News rectified and edited by CAIS [*]