A 2,000-year-old pillar in one of the plains of Noorabad, Mamesani, has been left unattended for years, and targeted by profiteers of historical and cultural monuments. Recently, traders have cut and stolen a signboard introducing one of its surrounding monuments. A great danger lurking in the relic of the Persians.
A column base belonging to the post-Achaeminid period has been completely neglected fin one of the plains of Noorabad, Mamesani, and smugglers in the past, have broken parts of it and irreversible damage done to it. Even now, in these dark times, profiteers have cut and stolen the introduction board of one of the surrounding relics, which is a warning sign for this piece and should be moved from there and transferred immediately to Noorabad museum, which is open since the past 2 years.
But the point of concern is that, during his field visit in Day 1398 (Jan 2019) the author discussed this matter with the then provincial general director of cultural heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, has suggested its relocation and follow-up. The general director promised to move it to a safe place. But, to the author’s surprise and disbelief, in his latest visit during Nowrooz, not only the base of the 2,000 years old post-Achaemenid column has not been relocated is still left in the plain, but smugglers and profiteers have also stolen the signboard introducing the relics in that area. And now, great danger is lurking in the Persians’ relics and any time there is the fear that a precious work of our country will be erased from the face of history and the page of the times and disappear forever. However, the writer has discussed the matter with the officials of the cultural heritage protection unit of the province and has demanded immediate relocation and follow-up.
Miracle for the Persians’ relic
We should undoubtedly accept that the survival of the base of the ancient pillar of Noorabad was not less than a miracle, from the hands of historical and cultural artifact smugglers and continued its life in the past decades. But, as we know, disaster never informs you ahead. Only then will the voice of the cultural heritage officials and lovers of Iranian history and culture be heard, but then it will be too late.
There is no doubt left that this issue is an example of the negligence of the authorities of the cultural heritage of Noorabad Mamesani and the province’s capital, who are still fast asleep and have left our unique and precious historical and cultural relics completely unattended. On one hand, cultural heritage officials usually do not pay attention to such precious historical documents until disaster strikes and a significant damage is reported by cultural heritage activities and the media, but sometimes, damage has been already done and the object has been stolen.
An archeologist who visited this area and this plain in the past and had seen this column base on a close-up, told the author about the value of this historical base: “In this area and this plain, and in most of the agricultural lands, column bases related to the Achaemenid period have been found. Because this area is one of the valuable and large ancient sites, the existence of such pillars was not and is not far from expected. I, too, have seen this same column base in the same place, in the past, and it is a pity that it is left unattended all these years, and parts of it are damaged and broken.”
In response to the question about the historical period of this column, Alireza Jafari Zand said: “Because this column base has fewer intricacies on it than the Achaemenid columns, it is easy to attribute it to the post-Achaemenid period. Therefore, we know that it is post-Achaemenid and its proximity to one of the most valuable and important monuments of the post-Achaemenians in this plain can be a testimony to these words.”
In response to whether the existing column base was brought to this place from another place, this archeologist, whose specialty is historical eras, said: “No, these column bases, which were primarily related to the Achaemenid and post-Achaemenid period, are located in these agricultural lands had and were not brought from anywhere else. Also, there were two other historical column bases around this area in the past. This plain and region have a lot of value from a historical point of view, and the existence of such works in agricultural lands is natural. Although perhaps the profiteers of cultural and historical properties have moved it a few meters away for various reasons, the place of this column’s base was in the same plain and region. On the other hand, the investigations that I have done in the past in this area show that this area was very prosperous and valuable in the ancient period, that there were undoubtedly palaces, buildings, and other historical structures in that area, which have disappeared through the passage of time, or still hidden under the earth and remain a secret. Some day they will pop up from beneath the earth, to the amazement of the people. This area still has many historical mounds, some of which farmers have flattened!”
I have surveyed and investigated this area for several kilometers in the past, which unfortunately has yet not been explored and no plan for its archeological excavations have been made. This region was a prosperous and large Achaemenid city that continued thriving even after that period, right upto the Sassanid period. The existence of many valuable historical works related to various ancient periods in Noorabad is proof of my statement. During the Sassanid period also, the city of Noorabad was of great value and importance, and the Sasanian petroglyph of Sarab Bahram is a valuable symbol of this period.
However, with view to the findings and the existence of many historical structures in various parts of the villages around Noorabad city and especially in this area, we are looking at a large and prosperous city during the Achaemenid era, and I have no doubts about this. And if archaeological excavations are carried out in this area in the future, there will be a tremendous change in history and archeology. On the other hand, the value of this column base is not unique, but that area has a lot of weight. Also, this column base cannot be valued by itself, but this whole area is of great value and importance. The column bases are spread all over this area and should be protected, because they are the identity of this region and from the archeological, cultural and historical point of view they are very precious.
In another part of his speech, Dr Jafari Zand said: “Perhaps this column base does not have the fineness and details of Achaemenid columns, and not much work has been done on it, but from a historical and identity point of view, it should be preserved.” On this pillar, the architects have done less detailed carving than of the Achaemenid period. Also, most of the foundations of the pillars found in this area in the past years have been broken and damaged by profiteers and irresponsible people, due to the neglect and inattention of cultural heritage officials.
Regarding whether it is better to take this column base to the museum or cultural heritage office of Noorabad city, the author said: “Yes, the best thing to do is to move this valuable historical structure to the museum or a cultural heritage base, so that it can be preserved and kept safe from theft. But it is important to know that before moving this column base and other works that will be found in the future, we it is necessary to prepare an identity card and code number so that in future we know where this column base was located. Because these monuments are considered the region’s identity, special attention should be paid to this issue as well.”
Even now, we have to keep our eyes open and see this time, despite the cultural heritage officials of the province being put in the picture, whether column base is left somewhere on the plain, to be robbed by more profiteers, or whether the Ministry of Cultural Heritage will wake up from its deep sleep? We will see.
It should be noted that the full address (the name of the village and the plain) has not been mentioned because this column base is in danger.
