Tehran, 10 November 2007 (CHN Foreign Desk) – The project for widening the road of Saadat Shahr in Iranian Fars province, which was stopped since three years ago in order to carrying out archeological excavations in the region, has been resumed. This is while, it is believed that the rumblings caused by heavy vehicles which have reached to the foothills of this 8000-year-old hill, will pose powerful jolts in archeological layers of this prehistoric hill where is assumed that an Achaemenid fortress might have been buried.   

 

Due to importance of archeological evidence in this region, the road was expected to change its route; however, currently in continuing its former route, the road is widening and has reached the foothill of Rahmat Abad hill.

 

Concurrent with archeological excavation in Bolaghi Gorge, Rahmat Abad hill also underwent archeological excavations which resulted in tracing evidence of clay kilns belonging to 7000 years ago. 

 

Furthermore, with discovery of handmade earthenwares dating back to more than 7000 years ago, archeologists give a high possibility that the advent of residency in this prehistoric hill must have gone back to 8000 years ago.

 

Regarding the importance of this prehistoric site, Hassan Fazeli Nashli, head of Archeology Research Center who was also in charge of archeological excavations in Rahmat Abad hill told CHN: “Excavations in this historic hill revealed the existence of an industrial center belonging to Bacon era (3800-3200 BC) and a guard station belonging to Achaemenid dynastic era (550-330 BC). It is probable that since this area was a crossing to Pasargadae, it was protected during Achaemenid era.”

 

 He further explained that the layers of this prehistoric hill are very weak and susceptible and have a great potential to collapse even with very small jolts. “This is while we can get some invaluable information about this prehistoric hill through implementing archeological studies,” added Fazeli Nashli.

 

In order to reach a unit agreement, archeological excavation in this prehistoric hill and the other archeological achievements were stopped to be picked up later.

 

Prior to this, Rahmat Abad hill was threatened by irrigating canals created for Sivand Dam. According to authorities of the dam, there is no threat from this part any longer.       

 

Although due to the importance of the hill, it has been enclosed completely, cultural heritage experts are still concerned about the negative consequences of widening the road.

 

Soudabeh Sadigh

foreigndesk@chn.ir