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While illegal excavations continue unabated in the
vicinity of Persepolis (Takht-e Jamshid), Iran’s
Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO)
has not taken any action to counter such offenses,
warned the writer of a book named after the
monument.
Speaking to the Persian daily Jaam-e Jam,
Habibollah Pourabdollah, a researcher, pointed out
that most of the illegal excavations are focused
on an Achaemenid cemetery located on a mountain in
the northern section of Persepolis.
Diggers raise tomb stones using spare parts
including jacks to look for antiques, he
complained.
Meanwhile, director of Parse Pasargad Foundation
Mohammad Hossein Talebian confirmed the news and
said that such illegal operations will continue as
long as residents of the region do not steadfastly
collaborate with the organization.
Noting the decline in excavations in recent years,
Talebian further said he is not aware of recent
violations.
Describing the security system in the historical
site of Choqazanbil in Shoush, Khuzestan province,
as noteworthy, he said that without the presence
of local guards, the historical monument will
never become safe from theft.
Talebian criticized the ICHTO for not dealing with
smugglers on the pretext that it lies within the
jurisdiction of Islamic Republic of Iran Police.
Although the use of metal detectors is banned in
Iran, no institute has taken measures to prevent
the widespread use of this device, he concluded.
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