TEHRAN - A collection of relics discovered from Kerman and being kept at the National Museum of Iran, has been returned to the southern province for a loan exhibition during Cultural Heritage Week (May 17 to 23).

On Friday, the provincial director-general of cultural heritage announced the arrival of a valuable collection of ancient artifacts from the National Museum of Iran to Kerman.

“These items will be showcased in local museums,” Saeed Shahrokhi noted. “Coinciding with Cultural Heritage Week.”

The official further detailed that the artifacts, which include significant archaeological findings from various sites across the province, were welcomed into Kerman.

Regarding the arranged location for the exhibition, Shahrokhi stated that the relics will be displayed at the Harandi Garden Museum.

The collection features discoveries from key archaeological digs such as the Yahya Tappeh in Arzuiyeh county and the ancient site of Shahdad in Kerman, the official highlighted.

Shahrokhi further explained that these excavations date back to the late 1960s.

He also outlined that many artifacts were recovered from illegal excavations in Jiroft's archaeological sites in the early 2000s.

“These items had been smuggled out of the country,” Shahrokhi added. “But were returned to Iran through the combined efforts of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, preventing their sale at auctions in London.”

He further noted that some of the items, which date historical roots back to the Neolithic period, approximately 8800 years ago, were uncovered during scientific excavations at the Gavkosh hill in Esfandaqeh Jiroft.

Earlier this month, the deputy minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Ali Darabi, disclosed that ten provincial exhibitions, showcasing the lesser-known relics coming from Iran’s National Museum, are in progress to take place within the Cultural Heritage Week.

“The political capital [Tehran] somehow differs from the heritage capitals across the country,” Ali Darabi further explained. “We’re making every effort with an eye toward preserving and prospering the rich cultural heritage nationwide.”

In a bid to achieve the goals, ten exhibitions are arranged to take place in different provinces, showcasing the lesser-known relics originating from Iran’s National Museum.

“The Cultural Heritage Week works as a reminder to authorities and citizens,” Darabi added. “Which draws attention to the significance of recognition, preserving and introducing the historical and civilizational capacities as a national responsibility.”

As claimed by the official, organizing such events aiming to elevate the lesser-known historical objects, is considered as a strategic necessity in the cultural heritage field.

XF/AM