Tehran, 5 September 2007 (CHN Foreign Desk) – Explosion activities of Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum which have already been started in an attempt to exploring oil in Behbahan plain in Khuzestan province has put the 7000-year-old history of Arjan on verge of destruction.

 

Some two decades ago, the tomb of Kitin Hutran, New Elamite King, who ruled during the late second millennium BC in the region, was accidentally unearthed during the digging operations for construction of Maroon dam in historic area of Arjan.

 

However, since then, Arjan historic site and its ruler have scarcely found a chance to take rest in peace. Conducting developing projects such as the cement factory, operations of laying pipes by Maroon Company, and recently the activities of Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum in this region, have somehow disturbed the peaceful atmosphere of the region.

 

In a talk with CHN, Mojtaba Gahsotooni, spokesman of Khuzestan’s Cultural Heritage Enthusiast Association (Tariana), warned that oil exploration activities of Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum have put Behbahan historic plain and city of Arjan at risk. According to Gahsotooni, in addition to its destructive effect on archeological sites of the region, the activities of Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum will further have a potential harm on the ecosystem of the area. 

 

“Some irrecoverable damages will pose to city of Arjan and Bahbahan plain if the activities for oil exploration continues in the region and Iran’ Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) takes no measure to stop them,” said Gahsotooni.

 

A team has been dispatched to the area by Research Center of ICHHTO to inspect the activities of Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum. This is while the archeology team which has started its excavations in the area since three years ago has shown ignorance toward the activities of Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum.    

 

Elamite town of Arjan is located 10 kilometers north of Bahbahan city in Iranian southern province of Khuzestan. So far, archeologists have succeeded in discovering a large amount of historical evidence dating back to millennia before Christ. Arjan plain has been registered in list of Iran’s National Heritage Sites in 1932.

 

 

Soudabeh Sadigh

foreigndesk@chn.ir