Dashtestan Achaemenid Quarry to be Safe Forever

Tehran, 10 May 2006 (CHN) -- Following an announcement by experts concerning the gradual destruction of Puzeh Palangi stone mine in Dashtestan, a city in the southwestern province of Bushehr, Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization of this province has taken measures to save this ancient quarry which is believed to have been a valuable source for construction purposes during the Achaemeid era (648 BC–330 BC). Puzeh Palangi historical quarry is an ancient and unique stone mine which is considered to be one of the most important ancient mines due to its special characteristics. Studies on this mine’s strong stones showed that they are very similar to those used in the construction of Bardak Siah Castle, which was once the royal residence of the Achaemenid kings.
Prior to this, it had been announced that this ancient mine is under threat as some parts of it were destroyed due to the activities of a cement company built nearby and also the ignorance of some cultural heritage authorities.
Last month, CHN attracted the attention of authorities of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization to the Puzeh Palangi Quarry when it published several reports about the present conditions of this endangered historical mine. Ardeshir Mohammadi, director of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization of Boushehr province, said that the Organization is determined to save this ancient mine, and that in a near future it would no longer be threatened provided that some security measures be taken right away.

“According to the owner of the mine, only some basic excavations were carried out in the region, which were stopped immediately by the order of ICHTO and Ministry of Industry and Mine,” said Mohammadi.
Mohammadi also declared that cultural heritage guards will be settled in the area to protect the mine and they are also determined to prepare a full file on the Pouze Palangi mine to register it in the list of Iran’s National Heritage. This way the mine would be safe forever.