Friday, September 16, 2005
گُفتمان ِ نگاهباني از ميراث فرهنگي ي ِ ايرانيان: دو پيام ِ تازه
در پي ِ گزارش ها و بيان نامه هاي پيشين در زمينه ي بايستگي ي ِ كوشش براي ِ نگاهباني از ميراث فرهنگي ي ايرانيان در استان فارس، امروز نيز دو پيام زير از سوي دكتر تورج دريايي در كاليفرنيا و سرپرست ِ انجمن ِ پارسيان در دهلي ي ِ نو به اين دفتر رسيده است كه براي آگاهي ي خوانندگان اين صفحه و دوستداران پي گيري
ي اين گُفتمان، با سپاس از فرستندگان آنها در اين جا مي آورم. ج. د.
Dear Friends,
I am writing to you as an ancient historian who travels to the province of Fars every year and visits the tomb and knows about the refurbushing of Cyrus the Great's tomb. The cleaning and refurbushing has been going on since two years ago by a joint Iranian, French, and Italian team. The dam that is being built is about 20 kilometers away and is the size of a small lake and so it will never even reach 10 kilometer of the tomb. Do not be worried about this news, as it does not effect it. FOr more information see a joint article with Professor Abdi who teaches Archaeology at Dartmouth College and dig in Fars every year below:
Best, Touraj Daryaee,
I am writing to you as an ancient historian who travels to the province of Fars every year and visits the tomb and knows about the refurbushing of Cyrus the Great's tomb. The cleaning and refurbushing has been going on since two years ago by a joint Iranian, French, and Italian team. The dam that is being built is about 20 kilometers away and is the size of a small lake and so it will never even reach 10 kilometer of the tomb. Do not be worried about this news, as it does not effect it. FOr more information see a joint article with Professor Abdi who teaches Archaeology at Dartmouth College and dig in Fars every year below:
Best, Touraj Daryaee,
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Subject: [creatingawareness] Re: PRESERVE & PROTECT PASARGAD & PERSEPOLIS
Hello friends
The taking of thousands of signatures to save the 'Tomb of Cyrus' is a noblethought. It will certainly show to those in power that there are people whocare for the preservation of ancient monuments and sacred sites forhumanities sake. But the notice they take is notoriously minimal or nil. It would be in fact important and far better to suggest in a proper mannerto the major powers that the site of the 2600 year old tomb, instead, berelocated. Those who have visited Abu Simbal in Egypt, where stands the colossal'Statue of Ramases II' with a 'Temple' will realise how easily thecomparatively small 'Tomb of Cyrus the Great' can be relocated. The Statueof Ramases II is (I think) about 40 feet high and the accompanying Templebehind the Statue is very huge too. These stone structures were sliced(carefully) into pieces and transported to the new site (and re-assembled)far away from the proposed Dam, which would have otherwise drowned both theStatue and the Temple. It was a mammoth task.This was done as a gesture of good will (as an after-thought - a sort of'late, but still worthy compassion') after the 'Super-powers', who(allegedly) 'owned' the Suez Canal bombed and totally destroyed Port Said(in retaliation/revenge, after President Nasser of Egypt nationalised theSuez Canal). Port Said was completely flattened by a massive assault of repeated sortiesof the planes of the (then) so-called Super-powers.(the assaults continuednight and day for several days until the USSR intervened and 'warned' themto back off). The death toll of the unprotected innocent civilians was10,500 +. There were no buildings left standing and no assistance wasforthcoming). This gross miss-use of (Fire) power, which once caused a horrendous genocide(as revenge) is not even talked about, now.I have been to both places - the completely destroyed City as well as therelocated and reconstructed Temple with its colossal Statue. I realised at afairly early age that there is a very real, constant and steady strugglebetween Good and Evil and that the latter must never be compromised with. Please ask (URGENTLY), my friends, for a relocation of this small structureto a suitable site before it is too late.
Sam Kerr (Sydney, Australia)
Subject: [creatingawareness] Re: PRESERVE & PROTECT PASARGAD & PERSEPOLIS
Hello friends
The taking of thousands of signatures to save the 'Tomb of Cyrus' is a noblethought. It will certainly show to those in power that there are people whocare for the preservation of ancient monuments and sacred sites forhumanities sake. But the notice they take is notoriously minimal or nil. It would be in fact important and far better to suggest in a proper mannerto the major powers that the site of the 2600 year old tomb, instead, berelocated. Those who have visited Abu Simbal in Egypt, where stands the colossal'Statue of Ramases II' with a 'Temple' will realise how easily thecomparatively small 'Tomb of Cyrus the Great' can be relocated. The Statueof Ramases II is (I think) about 40 feet high and the accompanying Templebehind the Statue is very huge too. These stone structures were sliced(carefully) into pieces and transported to the new site (and re-assembled)far away from the proposed Dam, which would have otherwise drowned both theStatue and the Temple. It was a mammoth task.This was done as a gesture of good will (as an after-thought - a sort of'late, but still worthy compassion') after the 'Super-powers', who(allegedly) 'owned' the Suez Canal bombed and totally destroyed Port Said(in retaliation/revenge, after President Nasser of Egypt nationalised theSuez Canal). Port Said was completely flattened by a massive assault of repeated sortiesof the planes of the (then) so-called Super-powers.(the assaults continuednight and day for several days until the USSR intervened and 'warned' themto back off). The death toll of the unprotected innocent civilians was10,500 +. There were no buildings left standing and no assistance wasforthcoming). This gross miss-use of (Fire) power, which once caused a horrendous genocide(as revenge) is not even talked about, now.I have been to both places - the completely destroyed City as well as therelocated and reconstructed Temple with its colossal Statue. I realised at afairly early age that there is a very real, constant and steady strugglebetween Good and Evil and that the latter must never be compromised with. Please ask (URGENTLY), my friends, for a relocation of this small structureto a suitable site before it is too late.
Sam Kerr (Sydney, Australia)
Subject: PRESERVE & PROTECT PASARGAD & PERSEPOLIS>
Date: Sat, 03 Sep 2005 10:26:06 -0700 (PDT)
Dear Friends,
I have just read and signed the online petition:>> "Save the Precious Archeological Sites of Pasargad in Iran">> hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition> service, at:>> http://www.PetitionOnline.com/Pasargad/
Date: Sat, 03 Sep 2005 10:26:06 -0700 (PDT)
Dear Friends,
I have just read and signed the online petition:>> "Save the Precious Archeological Sites of Pasargad in Iran">> hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition> service, at:>> http://www.PetitionOnline.com/Pasargad/
I personally agree with what this petition says, and I think you> might agree, too.>> It is not just a duty and responsibility of us Zarathushtis> (Zorastrians/Parsis) but the entire human-race to preserve and> respect the few remaining monuments of nearly 3 Millenia, which> stand as a testament to the WORLD'S FIRST "DECLARATION OF HUMAN> RIGHTS".>> It would be Monumental Tragedy for all human-kind, if the Iranian> People & its Government which is and should be a Custodian of> these Greatest & most Significant Archealogical Sites, decides to> and actually undertakes to Destroy them.>> If you can spare a moment, please take a look, read the> attachment and do consider signing yourself. (Please do not be> oblidged to do it but Do it only if your conscience permits you> to do so).>> Hopefully, your opinion will count and the Powers That Be, will> reconsider an alternative plan. Let us hope & pray that the> saying " The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword" holds true.
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Subject: DANGER TO WORLD CULTURAL HERITAGE IN IRAN OF THE ZOROASTRIAN PERIOD
Dear Bachi,
With reference to your article in Times of India of 14th September, please note that Dr. Shernaz Cama of UNESCO PARZOR and myself, from the National Commission for Minorities, have been taking action at various levels for the past many days. Mr. Richard Engelhardt, the Head of the Cultural Division of UNESCO in Asia and Mr. R.P. Perera, Programme Officer for Culture, have been contacted. They have begun enquiring into the issue and have started procedures to check out the reports. Mr. Mohammad Hassan Talebian, Site Manager of Phase two World Heritage Properties, in response to Dr. Cama has stated "They are going to construct a Dam, but it is not going to destroy either Pasargadae or Persipolis. Tange - Bolaghi area is going to be sunk. We are gathering all the information we can with the cooperation of several foreign colleagues. We hope we can do our best and they promised us not continuing their project till we finish our work".
UNESCO PARZOR, like the world community, is urging the Iranian authorities that the dam project be stalled until all Heritage Sites are recorded or shifted as required. In response to my letters of concern and phone calls the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi vide their letter of 13th September have informed "that on the basis of the information gathered by this Embassy, the Mousivand dam project in south Iran has caused concern and spread rumors among the people about danger to the Iranian Heritage sites like Persepolis and Pasargarde, which resulted in formation of several groups by various responsible organizations, including the Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran, to study the issue". Ultimately after extensive studies, all investigating organizations, seconded that construction of this dam does not pose any danger to the historical regions of Iran and the cultural heritage sites of the country. Therefore, it is hereby stressed that reports regarding any danger to the cultural heritage of Iran are NOT TRUE. It is obvious that the Government of Iran will not permit any project or action which may result any danger to the Cultural Heritage." I have reverted back to the Iranian Government through their Embassy in Delhi that it remains a matter of grave concern that the Imperial Road of the Achaemid period is to be sunk. In an email of September 13, Mr. Talebian has also stated that, "it was important not only at that period, but also from pre-historic to Islamic period. We have already found 130 historical remains, but 48 of them need an emergency rescue. We will try to do our best before flooding". Prof. Farhang Mehr too states that "some action should be taken with the Iranian Government to postpone completing the dam before the sites on the Royal Road are excavated". It has also been stated by some concerned Zoroastrians in Iran that, "several groups of International and Iranian archaeologists have asked for at least 4 years postponement of flooding to complete recording and saving what can be, in a museum. At present it is expected to be flooded on schedule in February 2006. The worry still lurking about Pasargade is the consequence of increased humidity on such an ancient monument built of given materials in a previously once dry plain. The resulting humidity can be measured and the consequences assessed only after the dam is operational. We can only hope that it won't be too late by then". None of us can help thinking of the inscription of Cyrus or Kurosh where he states on his tomb, "grudge me not therefore this little earth that covers my body". It is hoped that your article in the TOI will urge all Indians interested in preserving the rich diversity of world culture to appeal to the Iranian to stall the dam Project. Warm Regards Adi {Lt. Gen. (Retd.) A.M. Sethna, PVSM, AVSM},
New Delhi, India
Member – National Commission for Minorities President Delhi Parsi Anjuman
Subject: DANGER TO WORLD CULTURAL HERITAGE IN IRAN OF THE ZOROASTRIAN PERIOD
Dear Bachi,
With reference to your article in Times of India of 14th September, please note that Dr. Shernaz Cama of UNESCO PARZOR and myself, from the National Commission for Minorities, have been taking action at various levels for the past many days. Mr. Richard Engelhardt, the Head of the Cultural Division of UNESCO in Asia and Mr. R.P. Perera, Programme Officer for Culture, have been contacted. They have begun enquiring into the issue and have started procedures to check out the reports. Mr. Mohammad Hassan Talebian, Site Manager of Phase two World Heritage Properties, in response to Dr. Cama has stated "They are going to construct a Dam, but it is not going to destroy either Pasargadae or Persipolis. Tange - Bolaghi area is going to be sunk. We are gathering all the information we can with the cooperation of several foreign colleagues. We hope we can do our best and they promised us not continuing their project till we finish our work".
UNESCO PARZOR, like the world community, is urging the Iranian authorities that the dam project be stalled until all Heritage Sites are recorded or shifted as required. In response to my letters of concern and phone calls the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi vide their letter of 13th September have informed "that on the basis of the information gathered by this Embassy, the Mousivand dam project in south Iran has caused concern and spread rumors among the people about danger to the Iranian Heritage sites like Persepolis and Pasargarde, which resulted in formation of several groups by various responsible organizations, including the Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran, to study the issue". Ultimately after extensive studies, all investigating organizations, seconded that construction of this dam does not pose any danger to the historical regions of Iran and the cultural heritage sites of the country. Therefore, it is hereby stressed that reports regarding any danger to the cultural heritage of Iran are NOT TRUE. It is obvious that the Government of Iran will not permit any project or action which may result any danger to the Cultural Heritage." I have reverted back to the Iranian Government through their Embassy in Delhi that it remains a matter of grave concern that the Imperial Road of the Achaemid period is to be sunk. In an email of September 13, Mr. Talebian has also stated that, "it was important not only at that period, but also from pre-historic to Islamic period. We have already found 130 historical remains, but 48 of them need an emergency rescue. We will try to do our best before flooding". Prof. Farhang Mehr too states that "some action should be taken with the Iranian Government to postpone completing the dam before the sites on the Royal Road are excavated". It has also been stated by some concerned Zoroastrians in Iran that, "several groups of International and Iranian archaeologists have asked for at least 4 years postponement of flooding to complete recording and saving what can be, in a museum. At present it is expected to be flooded on schedule in February 2006. The worry still lurking about Pasargade is the consequence of increased humidity on such an ancient monument built of given materials in a previously once dry plain. The resulting humidity can be measured and the consequences assessed only after the dam is operational. We can only hope that it won't be too late by then". None of us can help thinking of the inscription of Cyrus or Kurosh where he states on his tomb, "grudge me not therefore this little earth that covers my body". It is hoped that your article in the TOI will urge all Indians interested in preserving the rich diversity of world culture to appeal to the Iranian to stall the dam Project. Warm Regards Adi {Lt. Gen. (Retd.) A.M. Sethna, PVSM, AVSM},
New Delhi, India
Member – National Commission for Minorities President Delhi Parsi Anjuman
