TEHRAN,
Oct. 28 (Mehr News Agency) -- Part of a Sassanid tepe was destroyed last week near Ahvaz, the
provincial capital of Khuzestan. The destruction was carried out by the Mehrab
Housing Company for construction of a high-rise apartment complex, Khuzestan
Cultural Heritage Lovers Society (Taryana) announced on Monday.
No permission had been granted by the Khuzestan Cultural Heritage, Tourism and
Handicrafts Department (KCHTHD) for the housing company at the site, Taryana
spokesman Mojtaba Gahestuni said.
The mound, which covers an area of 10 hectares, had already been damaged by a
road construction project, installation of telecommunication poles, other
housing projects and establishment of a bazaar, he added.
Last April, KCHTHD's experts visited the tepe to convince Iranian officials to
register it on the National Heritage List and to take action for the security of
the site.
However, so far, no decision has been reached by the KCHTHD for safeguarding the
mound.
Experts had observed ancient bricks, shards, and pieces of glassware scattered
about near the construction projects underway at the site.
Some archaeologists who have already visited the mound, believe that beneath the
tepe, the ruins of a Sassanid city are buried, Gahestuni said.
TEHRAN,
Oct. 28 (