[MSN] IRAN. Illegal Diggers Smash Artifacts . Heavy rainfall forced archeologists abandon Lorestan's ancient cemetery of Babajilan while illegal diggers continue to destroy the region's invaluable bronze relics.

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Published:11/30/2006 2:33:00 PM   

Lorestan's Excavations Delayed, Illegal Diggers Smash Artifacts   


Heavy rainfall forced archeologists abandon Lorestan's ancient cemetery of
Babajilan while illegal diggers continue to destroy the region's invaluable
bronze relics.   

Tehran, 30 November 2006 (CHN Foreign Desk) -- Archeological excavations in
the 3000-year-old cemetery of Babajilan in western Iranian province of
Lorestan had to be put off due to heavy rains and snows in the mountainous
regions of the province where the ancient cemetery is located. This is while
illegal diggers continue to destroy large numbers of ancient bronze relics
which abound in this cemetery.  A few weeks ago, a group of archeologists
were dispatched by Iran's Archeology Research Center to the Iron Age
cemetery of Babajilan to study the area and prevent further plundering of
the site by illegal diggers. However, after only 18 days during which
archeologists were busy collecting the broken pieces of bronze artifacts dug
out by illegal diggers, they had to return since heavy blizzard made
continuation of their work almost impossible.  The Iron Age cemetery of
Babajilan has many times been plundered by illegal diggers and, according to
Ata Hassanpour, archeologist of Lorestan's Cultural Heritage and Tourism
Department, the cemetery is now full of ancient artifacts destroyed as a
result of illegal activities. "Illegal diggers understandably have no
trainings in how an artifact must be unearthed without being damaged and
therefore cause lots of harms to these ancient relics while digging. This is
why large numbers of historic artifacts are destroyed before they go under
studies by experts," said Hassanpour.  In addition, he noted that many of
ancient relics unearthed by the smugglers are destroyed further once in
contact with the air for too long. On the other hand, since large numbers of
artifacts found in Lorestan's historic sites are made of bronze, they easily
oxidize after few days of exposure in open air.  Hassanpour also noted that
since Babajilan cemetery is located in a mountainous area with an average
slope of 65 degrees, natural conditions make it difficult for archeologists
to carry on with their activities. "During the short period we were
excavating this cemetery, each time a trench was made by archeologists it
was quickly washed away by rains. Therefore, we could only collect the
broken artifacts left behind by illegal diggers in the area to be studied in
our laboratories."  According to this archeologist, the Iron Age cemetery of
Babajilan is now under protection by local guards.  Known for their
exquisite bronze objects, mostly dated to the first millennium BC,
Lorestan's historic sites are considered unique in the country.
Sang-Tarashan is only one of the most important archeological sites of this
province in which hundreds of bronze objects were discovered in the recent
years. In addition to large numbers of rare bronze objects found in this
region, a beautiful bronze glass with a very delicate etching work on its
body and the design of a lotus flower on its bottom, a wide variety of war
instruments such as different kinds of swords in different sizes, battle
axes, an ivory scabbard, together with bronze vessels such as teapots,
pitchers, bowls and glasses, all dating back to the Iron Age, were unearthed
in this historic site.   

Maryam Tabeshianforeigndesk at chn.ir