Ancient mound near Dastena under archaeological study
A field trial excavation program is being carried out at an ancient mound site northeast of Dastena, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, to determine the extent of the archaeological remains and propose a protective buffer zone, with financial support from the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, said the head of the archaeological survey team.
Mohsen Heydari said the excavation is being conducted under an official permit from the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism and with the approval of the Archaeology Research Center. He is leading the project as a faculty member of the Archaeology Department at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, chtn.ir wrote.
He explained that the archaeological site is located 35 kilometers from Shahrekord, 550 meters northeast of Dastena, and east of the Bibi Hajer shrine and Dastena Cemetery. The site lies on the southern slopes of a high series of hills known as Mount Bibi Hajer, which stretches from east to west.
Heydari noted that the site has suffered irreversible damage in recent years, with parts of its central area being leveled and excavated. He added that, due to a project to expand the road connecting Dastena to Shalamzar and the possibility of further destruction of parts of the site, defining the archaeological boundaries and protective zone was prioritized.
“Without detailed archaeological studies and a clear understanding of the extent of the remains, there is a risk of irreparable damage to archaeological deposits and cultural remains,” he said.
According to the archaeologist, the main objective of the field program is to accurately identify the site’s boundaries and propose a protective buffer zone, creating a legal safeguard to prevent preventing further destruction of the surviving archaeological remains, particularly from human activities.
Heydari added that small 1-by-1.5-meter test trenches are being excavated within the surrounding area to identify the spread of cultural and archaeological deposits. The work aims to clarify the extent of the remains and provide a basis for protecting the site.
The site, registered as “Imamzadeh Bibi Hajer and the adjacent mound,” dates back to the Middle Islamic period particularly the Ilkhanid era and was listed as a national heritage site in 2005 under registration No. 12410.