Page 12 - Expotime10_11_2017

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Column bases at Shush Museum, partly bearing bilingual in-
scriptions. They are not protected against vandalism.

experience for every historian, archeologist or non-
professional who has an interest for the origins of human
societies. While Chogha Zanbil and Haft Tappeh are in a
rather good condition, maybe because just a few learned
tourists visit this places, the same cannot be said about
the archeological structures in Susa.

Susa represents two historical developments which were The bullś head from the Apadana, Achaemenid period.
important for world history: The state-building and the The bull symbolized in ancient Persia the old year as well as
urbanization. The process from a stone age society to a fertility and bull statues were formed as magical palace
guardians. Recently, it was protected with a showcase.
metropolis can clearly be seen as in the archaeological
findings of the former capital of Elam. There are only a
hand full places around the globe where this is possible.
The ruins of Susiana give a key to understand the origins
of economy, society and culture. The cultural and The site itself was harmed in the first Gulf War, illegal
historical importance of the sites in Khuzistan is excavations spoiled it, a hotel is built on unexcavated
overwhelming for the open minded visitor. land but the main problem are visitors without sensibility
for historical objects.
Susa is officially protected as a National monument
under the responsibility of the Iranian government. But, The tomb of Daniel is visited by masses of Islamic
the UNESCO demands to protect the archaeological travellers and financed with the donations of the
treasures are apparently taken with a pinch of salt. believers; for this reason it is still in a good condition
Additionally, the urban growth of the modern city and and well protected by the Islamic institutions. But the
the wider region is a threat to the excavations. garden of the Shush museum with irreplaceable artifacts
of global importance remains an amusement park and
the common visitors behave like Europeans do at public
soccer event (of course, without alcohol).
While Iranian police, Islamic Religious Police, Hisbollah
and officials are extremely rigid with people who
“perturb the order“ in harmless situations, they are
obviously not interested to care for “the order“ in areas
with archeological heritage from pre-Islamic time: the
tomb of Daniel is protected for religious and not for
cultural or historical reasons. Seeing the massive
vandalism, robbery and pollution with rubbish in the
excavation zone of Shush, one has to be happy that the
most important archeological finds are in the Louvre and
not here. To bring them to Europe was the best what to
protect them. The irresponsibility of the authorities in
The testimonies of mankind's oldest writing used as spolia.
Shush Castle, Iran dealing with this heritage leaves a bitter aftertaste.

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EXPOTIME!, issue October / November 2017