|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mojan
In the Heart of Mountains
The historical city of Mojan , with a population of 8,000, is located 33 kilometers northwest of Shahroud in the Alborz Mountain range near Semnan province bordering Golestan province.
The city is 2,700 meters above sea-level. It receives relatively high level of rainfall which makes it unique compared to other cities in Semnan province, CHTN reported.
City elders maintain Mojan is the contracted form of Manijeh, daughter of Afrasiab in Shahnameh (Book of Kings) by Iran’s epic poet, Hakim Abolqasem Ferdowsi, who helped develop the region.
Background
The presence of many monuments and castles around the city and pottery works found in the neighboring hills, as well as two ancient trees in the region named ’Soor’, show that springs flow in the region since ancient times.
It is said that Mojan was built during the Sassanid Dynasty and Afrasiab’s rule. Because of good weather, Manijeh ordered the construction of a building eight kilometers from the city and on top of a mountain, the remains of which can still exist.
Customs
Customs of Mojan can be seen in handicrafts, traditional arts and clothing, as well as celebrations during Norouz and other occasions. The hard-working and kind residents make a living through tourism, agriculture and cattle breeding.
Local Games
The local games are Pous (Lengeh), Lirbazi, Pish-Bebarou, Chu-Chilak, Arnag-Berang, Sangaleh, Qaem-Bashak and Karevan.
Hand-Woven Works
Most hand-woven works of Mojan, chiefly produced by local women, are as follows: jajim, kilim, choqa, chador-shab and mat-weaving. Wool is the basic material used for weaving jajim and kilim.
Agriculture
Mojan is one of the main hubs of agricultural produce in Shahroud. Favorable weather conditions and rich water resources have resulted in the diversity of its agricultural products. The main produce is potato and its high quality is well known. Other agricultural products of the area include wheat, barley and pea.
|
|
|
|
First Natural Heritage for UNESCO Registration
Director general of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization’s (ICHHTO) Office for Registration of Historical and Cultural Sites said that Iran’s first natural heritage, if approved by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), will be registered in 2010.
Hossein Ali Vakil added, “Global registration of historical and cultural sites pursues a definite timetable. We should submit the first case of national heritage to UNESCO by the end of 2008 which will examine the case and, if necessary, visit the site in 2009. Then, the case will be included in the agenda of UNESCO meeting in 2010. If approved, it will be registered as global natural heritage.“
He hoped that the cases for Hirkan and Hara forests will be drawn up this year.
Two years ago the Republic of Azerbaijan proposed to UNESCO that Hirkan forest be registered as global natural heritage. However UNESCO and other related bodies maintained that Iran and Azerbaijan should jointly present the proposal for global registration.
In July 2006, Head of ICHHTO’s Research Center Taha Hashemi said, “Iran had already proposed that Hirkan forest be registered as a joint site. But, since Iran’s case was not ready, Azerbaijan presented its case.
Meanwhile, UNESCO reasoned that since the major portion of the forest is in Iranian territory, the section which is in Azerbaijan is not viewed as a unique attraction and hence the case should be raised jointly by Iran and Azerbaijan. Therefore the deadline of February 1, 2007 was set for Iran to prepare its case.“
Subsequently a month later, a meeting attended by officials of UNESCO, ICHHTO and Department of Environment (DoE) was held to follow up UNESCO’s proposal for joint registration of the forest. In the meeting it was decided that the full case should be presented by the end of 2008.
Hirkan forest is located in Iran’s Ardebil, Gilan, Mazandaran and Golestan provinces and extends from Hirkan region in the west to Golestan province in the east. Given its historical significance, the forest is of global importance. It covers an area of over two million hectares, over 90 percent of which is in Iranian territory and 18,000 hectares is in Azerbaijan.
|
|
|
|
Parthian, Sassanid
Residential Areas Unearthed
An archaeological team recently discovered residential areas dating back to Parthian (250 BC-226 AD) and Sassanid (226-650 AD) eras in the Kesht Tepe site in the Semnan Plain, Semnan province.
The team led by Mahnaz Sharifi has spent 40 days working the site, which is threatened by a road construction project to connect the Cheshmeh-Ali region to Mazandaran province.
“The team dug 10 trenches at the site resulting in the discovery of Parthian and Sassanid residential areas,“ Sharifi told CHN on Friday.
They unearthed several large pots, ovens, clay spindles and several other artifacts during their excavations, she added.
“A seal bearing an image of a scorpion, which was the team’s most important discoveries, was also unearthed,“ Sharifi explained.
In addition, a cemetery dating back to the early Islamic era was discovered on the Sassanid stratum of the site. The cemetery contains some unique burial styles.
“No gifts have been put on the graves and the remains were not buried facing the ’qibla’ (Mecca); some of them have even been found lying prostrate in the graves,“ Sharifi said.
“We have also unearthed a coffin containing a skeleton whereas Muslims never bury the dead in a coffin,“ she added.
Archaeologists surmise that they may have found a cemetery reflecting the transitional stage from the Sassanid era to the Islamic period.
The rescue excavations have been suspended due to a lack of necessary findings and the site has been left in the care of only one guard.
|
|
|
|
|
Nomad Ecotourism Museum
Nomad ecotourism museum will be set up in Ardebil province to help introduce rites and cultures of the region.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Excavation Season
In Pisa Mound Over
The first season of archaeological excavations in Pisa Mound, Hamedan province has ended, head of the archaeological team said.
Speaking to ISNA, Yaqoub Mohammadifar added, “Pisa Mound is located in the northwest of Hamedan province. It is symbolic of Brass Age culture in western Iran. One distinct feature of the mound is its area spreading over 3.49 hectares.“
He noted that extensive archaeological excavations in western parts of the country and central Zagros range, particularly between the 1960s and 1980s, hint at a special culture in the region, which was earlier identified by British archaeological teams in Yaniq Mound. “One important indication of this culture is its unique pottery, which is different from other samples of pottery found elsewhere.“
Mohammadifar, who is assistant professor of archaeology at Hamedan’s Bou Ali Sina University, further said, “Archeological excavations in Pisa Mound aimed at opening up new horizons about Bronze Age culture and its extent in the region. Excavations were also pursued in the eastern side of the mound over an area of 400 square meters. Based on preliminary studies, the first and second layers of the mound reveal fragments of pottery, dating back to the Brass Age.“
The architectural ruins discovered in the two layers are similar to those in Godin Mound in Kangavar, Kermanshah province in terms of construction materials and architectural style.
Historical Complex Under Renovation
Operations to renovate the structure and tile works of the rare complex known as ’Manbar-e (pulpit of) Soltan Bandar Abad-e Sedouq’ has begun following the allocation of 147 million rials for the project.
The renovation process is expected to take two months and will include reinforcing and making a replica of arabesque patterns of the tile works.
The complex is an adobe structure and its main sections include a grand mosque, Hosseinieh, water tanks, watchtower and a mausoleum.
Among the unique features of the edifice are the six-sided turquoise tiles.
With the lapse of time, the complex was buried until recently when it was unearthed by the National Organization for Protecting Ancient Sites.
The edifice, located in Yazd province, dates back to the late ninth century (AH) and has been registered as a national heritage site.
ICHHTO Preparing List of Thinkers
The Research Center of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) will submit a list of 200 thinkers and towering figures in science and culture to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for registration, head of the center, Taha Hashemi said.
“The plan aims to promote and safeguard Iran’s cultural heritage so that other countries do not lay claim on these distinguished figures,“ Hashemi told a press conference, CHN reported.
He said, “A concise biography of these towering figures has been compiled in compliance with UNESCO’s requirements. It will be translated within a few weeks and be submitted to UNESCO.
Based on the center’s plan, the distinguished personalities will be identified and scrutinized at the international, national and regional levels. The list will be submitted to UNESCO and be used along national and regional lists for printing in textbooks. The next step will be to create busts of these figures, particularly those prominent at the regional level, and install them in their birthplaces.“
Hashemi emphasized that many countries lacking reliable history, are seeking to lay claims on cultural figures of other countries.
“Hence, verification of the Iranian identity of the 200 distinguished personalities by UNESCO will prevent other countries from abusing their name and fame,“ he concluded.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
