Support for Iranian Ancient Heritage Sites in Iraq

Iranian heritage authorities have expressed readiness to provide conservation and restoration services for three Iranian ancient sites located in Iraq borders.

According to Abdolmalek Shanbezadeh, the director of Ilam’s office of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, technical support, protection and restoration measures will be taken for the historically valuable sites, if both countries come to an agreement, Mehr News Agency reported.

“Iran-Iraq Cultural Heritage Committee will soon discuss the issue and make a decision,” he said.

Located in non-residential areas of Iran-Iraq border, three hills of Soleiman Tappeh, Baksaieh and Sab’at Khazir date back to the Elamite Empire (2700–539 BC), the ancient pre-Iranian civilization.

When inscribed on the National Heritage List in 1931, the ancient sites were located inside the borders of Ilam Province. However, due to unknown reasons, the hills are now in the territory of Wasit Governorate in Iraq.

Shanbezadeh said the borderline was relocated prior to the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Experts believe the border displacement might have happened as a result of the 1977 Algiers Agreement between Iran and Iraq to settle their border disputes and conflict, before the 1979 victory of the Islamic Revolution.

Together with two hills, namely Tall-e Shiravan and Tall-e Lalar, as well as the historical city of Seymareh, these are Ilam’s first heritage sites enlisted on the National Heritage List.  

Ilam Province is currently home to 745 national heritage sites.