Leading Iranian and German archeological research institutes have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at expanding ties and strengthening cooperation.
The MoU was signed by the head of Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Seyyed Mohammad Beheshti, and director of German Archeological Institute, Friederike Fless, Mehr News Agency reported.
The agreement is valid for five years and will be automatically extended for another five years.
On the basis of the MoU, Iran and Germany will cooperate on archeological, anthropological and geophysical research projects. Collaboration on dating archeological monuments, studying cultural materials and samples, and scientific analyses are covered in the agreement.
The two institutes will also cooperate on restoration of historical and cultural relics and sites.
Other areas of cooperation are archeological field studies, including survey, test trenching, exploration, material analysis, preservation and restoration of organic and inorganic materials, conservation of archeological heritage and management of historical monuments and sites.
The MoU obligates DAI to facilitate the participation of RICHT researchers and archeologists in educational and research programs at German universities.
DAI guarantees that no cultural artifacts discovered in Iran will be taken out of the country by the institute. It will bring analytical equipment to Iran.
Under special circumstances and following RICHT’s approval, archeological samples may be temporarily transferred to Germany for further analyses.
Reports on field operations and other research projects will be jointly prepared in Persian and English.
The two parties have equal proprietary rights over research results and discoveries made in joint programs.
