Japan to Help Restore Persepolis

Japan will lend a hand to restore the ruins of Persepolis, one of Iran's most famous world heritage sites.

Persepolis is threatened by land subsidence due to depleting groundwater resources and is besieged by unrelenting lichens that experts say cannot yet be removed without harming the popular attraction site.

Excessive water withdrawals from illegally dug wells and biological growth, such as algae and bacteria, have deteriorated the site's conditions.

Quoting a report in the Japan-based Kyodo News website, IRNA reported that Japan is planning to send a team of archeologists and experts to Iran in the near future to visit the UNESCO site and conduct feasibility studies to devise ways of restoring the heritage site.

Authorities believe Japan's state-of-the-art technology and experts could significantly contribute to the site's restoration scheme.

Although Iranian officials have already made efforts to implement restoration projects, Persepolis' situation is still worrying and it might reportedly lose its world heritage status if efforts to restore the site fail.

Earlier this year, an Italian team launched a renovation project for the construction of roofs above the gates leading to the two royal palaces in Pasargadae, which is still underway.

Founded by Darius I in 518 BC, Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (with Pasargadae being the administrative capital) and is situated 70 km northeast of the city of Shiraz, Fars Province.

In 333 BC, Persepolis was razed by Alexander the Great and it has been in ruins ever since.

A magnificent example of the Achaemenid-style of architecture, the ruins were declared a World Heritage Site in 1979.