New archaeological season opens at Hegmataneh
The director of the Hegmataneh World Heritage Site has announced the beginning of the 25th season of archaeological excavations and studies at the historic site.
Reza Nazari said the excavations will continue until the end of July this year.
He added that the research is being carried out under an agreement between the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department of Hamedan Province and the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism of Iran. The new excavation season follows the archaeological studies conducted during the 24th season, which took place in December 2025 and January 2026, chtn.ir wrote.
Referring to the objectives of the latest archaeological research, Nazari said the main goal of the 25th excavation season is to identify and clarify the defensive walls and fortifications in the southern and southeastern sections of the Hegmataneh historic site.
He explained that before excavation activities began, interdisciplinary geophysical studies, including geomagnetic surveys and ground-penetrating radar investigations, were carried out. These studies aim to provide a clearer understanding of possible structures and architectural remains in the excavation areas.
He noted that the 25th excavation season at Hegmataneh is being led by Yaqub Mohammadifar, a professor of archaeology at Bu-Ali Sina University, with the participation of students and under the supervision of the Hegmataneh World Heritage Site.
The continuation of archaeological research at Hegmataneh is expected to provide further insight into the historical development and urban structure of one of Iran’s most significant ancient sites. Researchers hope that the findings from this season will help reveal more details about the site’s defensive systems, architectural features, and the civilizations that shaped the region throughout history.