TEHRAN – A team of archaeologists has initiated a significant project to define and protect the boundaries of the ancient site of Dastva in southwest Iran.

Situated in Shushtar county of Khuzestan province, the archaeological site, which dates back to the Parthian and Sassanian eras, has suffered extensive damage over recent decades, ISNA quoted Iranian archaeologist Hassan Derakhshi as saying on Monday.

The project includes both exploratory and preservation measures, said Derakhshi, who leads the excavation team. “We have started surveying the area by carving several test trenches within and around the Dastva site. These efforts are aimed at gaining a better understanding of the site's extent and the damage it has sustained.”

The Dastva site covers an expansive area of over 300 hectares. The current project focuses on reassessing the site boundaries, documenting the damage, and mapping the area using advanced techniques like drone photography and photogrammetry. These efforts are crucial for creating accurate archaeological maps that reflect the site's current state and historical significance, according to the archaeologist.

Derakhshi highlighted the many factors contributing to the site's degradation. Over the past few decades, and particularly in recent years, various human activities have taken a heavy toll on Dastva. The construction and expansion of the Shushtar-Ahvaz road, the development of the Andisheh (Gavmishabad) township, large-scale land leveling for agriculture, and the creation of dirt roads have all caused significant damage.

Other destructive activities include digging for fishponds, converting agricultural land into garden villas, erecting power transmission poles, installing drainage channels and water pipes, and the dumping of waste and construction debris. Additionally, illegal excavations by looters, deforestation, erosion, and the seasonal growth of wild plants have further contributed to the site's deterioration.

Dastva was once one of the oldest cities in Shushtar, with archaeological evidence dating back to the Parthian and Sassanian periods. The site was inhabited even during the early Islamic era.

The site was first excavated in 1968 by Ali Akbar Sarfaraz, who uncovered significant artifacts, including an Elymais tomb, Sassanian to Islamic pottery, and remnants of a Sassanian pottery kiln using test trenches.

After a period of inactivity, archaeological work resumed under the leadership of Mahdi Rahbar in the 1980s, following the accidental discovery of part of a tomb ceiling in the Golalak area.

The current project represents a crucial step in protecting and understanding this historically significant site, ensuring that its cultural heritage is preserved for future generations.

AM