Despite the extent of its archeological and ancient grounds, Iran still lacks a comprehensive archaeological map. The head of the Institute of Archeology also says this: With the slow progress we have in archeology investigations, the archeology map of the country will not be completed in another 100 years.
As ISNA reports, the idea of preparing an archeological map of Iran was proposed by the late Ezatollah Negahban, about 54 years ago. In 1386 (2006) the archeological map group decided to implement the archeological map project, using up-to-date technology, and finally, by holding several meetings, the method for preparing an archeological map, the potentials and the needs in line with short, mid and long term goals were examined, and it was decided that different layers of knowledge of Iran’s archeology and other interdisciplinary knowledge should be placed on the archeological map, as per need.
In the past years, the Institute of Archeology of Iran has repeatedly announced the preparation, completion, and even unveiling of the archeological map of the country. In 1400 (2020) it was also announced that the website of the archeological map of Iran had been unveiled virtually, although this map will not be available to everyone. But based on the latest statements of the head of the Institute of Archeology of Iran published by the public relations of the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, this map is not only not yet completed and prepared, but with the slow process of surveying and identifying the ancient sites, it will take tens of years to complete the archaeological map of Iran.
Kourosh Roustayi, the head of the Institute of Archaeology, said: One of the archeology issues that has been discussed many times in the past two decades and was even followed up by the Islamic Council is the issue of the country’s archeology map.
He added: “There is a misconception that the archeological map of Iran will be ready in the next 2, or 3 or a few years, while we know that it will not be implemented for another few decades. In fact, with this slow process that we have now in archaeological investigations, it must be said that the archaeological map of the country will not be complete for another hundred years.”
Roustayi believes that preparing the archeological map of Iran depends on the implementation of archeological survey and identification programs and said: “the source of the archaeological map is from the archaeological survey and identification programs, and the ancient areas must be identified so that they can be included in the archaeological map.”
This archaeologist said: Based on statistics, nearly 20 to 30 survey and identification programs are carried out annually, which is very insignificant.
He added: Archaeological investigation is a field program that, in the best case, it is possible to cover an area of 50 to 60 square kilometers in a working season of 30 to 40 days, and the total area covered in the investigations of the past years is minimal compared to the extent of the country.
The head of the Institute of Archeology also said: Another problem is that many survey and identification programs that were carried out in the past decades did not have enough accuracy in surveying the landscape, so it cannot be claimed that the area has been fully identified from the point of view of archeology.
He added: “In the past few years, efforts have been made to control the microscopic examination of archaeological investigations, but we are still far from an acceptable quality.”
The head of the Institute of Archeology said: Except for the emergency archaeological field programs, such as rescue excavations and field determination programs, the priority of the country’s archeological programs should be archeological investigations and studies.
He said: “It should be noted that due to the growing trend of urban, rural, mining, construction, etc. developments, the more we delay in this field, the more areas will be destroyed, but if those areas are identified on time, we can make protection plans for them.”
