Tehran, 10 November 2007 (CHN Foreign Desk) – According to cultural heritage enthusiasts association in Qom province, the skeleton of a giant trading center has been erected on the remains of the historic texture of Qom. This is while, prior to this after conducting excavation in this region, archeologists warned about existence of 6000-year-old historical evidence in this part of the city. Construction of this trading center has not only destroyed the historical evidence in this part of city of Qom but has also intruded the vicinity of two historic houses in ancient context of the city.

 

Following demolishing a major part of the historic texture of Qom, the municipality of Qom issued the credit for construction of a trading center in this area due to which, a trading complex will be constructed in Shad Qoli 6000-year-old historic 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. Archeological excavations started in this historic site since two years ago resulted in revealing evidence of 6000-year-old residency in this historic city.

 

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.

 

Earlier to construction of this trading center, by discovery of some historical and cultural remains during the fourth phase of construction of Amar Boulvard, the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Departmetn of Qom province asked Qom’s governor to stop the project through a letter which was delivered to this Office on February 28, 2006 and asked for an opportunity to continue their studies in the area. However, the project was resumed while the excavations never finished and resulted in destruction of Shad Qoli and ancient site which goes back to the pre-historic time.     

 

In response to the question that why archeologists have not attended in the region to save Shad Qoli historic site, Hassan Fazeli Nashli, head of Archaeology Research Center told CHN: “Since Shad Qoli historic site is located in historic texture of Qom city, it enjoys a special value and more than being excavated, it needed to be preserved. If we just think of excavating historical sites, the issue of preserving would be forgotten and no archeology site will remain for next generations.”     

 

Destruction of this ancient site has put an end to archeologists’ hope for getting their hands on some valuable information and revealing some unknown facts about formation of social life in Qom some 6000 years ago. Before the discovery of this historic site, it was supposed that the existence of human beings in Qom dates back to the 9^th century AD, however, initial findings in Shad Qoli revealed that the existence of life in this area must go back to 6000 years ago.

 

Historic texture of city of Qom is one of the most invaluable archeological evidence in Iran, most part of which dates back to Qajar dynastic era (1787-1921 AD). However, some evidence belonging to Safavid period (1501-1736 AD) and Seljuk era (1037-1187 AD) can be also found in this area.   

 

 

Soudabeh Sadigh

Foreigndesh@chn.ir