TEHRAN, Nov. 28 (Mehr News Agency) -- Archaeologist Masud Azarnush, the former director of the Iranian Center for Archaeological Research died of heart attack on Thursday. He was 63 years old.

Azarnush was one of the outstanding researchers and experts at the research center of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO) from 2000 to 2006.

He established a technical library at the research center and also paved the way for foreign archaeologists to carry out research in Iran.

He was also busy with teaching at university and conducting excavations at several historical sites.

Azarnush was born in 1945 in Kermanshah. He studied archaeology at the University of Tehran and traveled to the United States to get his Ph.D.

He has written and compiled several books in Persian, English, and French.

... Payvand News - 11/28/08 ... --