Majestic Beloved Persepolis
The history repeats itself , we are going so fast forward that we are trapped in survival mode which leads us to excess selfishness , we care less and less about history and heritages to the extend that our historical monuments are becoming destroyed and we do nothing about .
please take a look at the provided information about Persepolis, hope you enjoy it.
There is also video with footages taken from the Persepolis by the founder of usetobeused.
Persepolis has stood – ever so majestically – the test of time, witnessed the rise and fall of kings, survived the unjust wars and battles often fought in its doorsteps, and endured the nature’s hostile and gentle touch throughout the cold and colorless winters and sizzling hot summers.
Founded by Darius I the Great in 518 B.C., Persepolis was the capital of the Achaemenid (Persian) Empire. The structure is repleted with impressive architecture inspired by Mesopotamian models. The importance and quality of the monumental ruins made it a unique archaeological site. UNESCO declared the ruins of Persepolis a World Heritage Site in 1979.
Persepolis carries the badge of honor of representing Achaemenid architecture and was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire (550-330BC). Renowned as the gem of the Achaemenid ensembles in architecture and art, the royal city of Persepolis is highly regarded among the archaeological sites with no equivalent. It bears unique witness to a most ancient civilization in Persian empire. Among its many magnificent architectures built by successive kings are a series of splendid palaces such as massive Apadana palace and the Throne Hall, Hundred-Column Hall.
Until recently, Persepolis has come victorious in every battle and challenge. However, the recent erosion of its magnificent statues and architecture has been alarming to the dismay of the tourists.
The irrigation system of the Persepolis is called the Qanat (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qanat)
The irrigation system of the Persepolis is called the Qanat (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qanat)[/caption]
Qanat is a slanted underground channel to direct water from a series of connected aquifers and water wells to surface for irrigation and drinking. This is an old system of water supply from a deep well with a series of vertical access shafts (please see pictures). The qanats still create a reliable supply of water for human settlements and irrigation in hot, arid, and semi-arid climates. The qanat technology was developed in ancient Iran by the Persian people in the early 1st millennium B.C., and spread from there slowly throughout the world.
To maintain the Qanats, the channels must be inspected periodically to detect early signs of erosions or cave-ins. The high demand for irrigation, drought, and unregulated drilling for water wells has depleted the aquifers to the devastating point that the land structure beneath the Persepolis has begun to give in gradually. Archeologists believe that with no further intervention and the constant
unregulated water usage for irrigation, the aquifers will drain and the ground beneath the Persepolis will essentially collapse.
In addition to the land erosion and excessive drilling for water wells and high demand of irrigation, there is a chemical erosion that is evident to tourists. Persepolis is in close vicinity of a Shiraz Petrochemical Company located about 12 kilometers away. As it is
depicted in the image, any chemical waste from the production of soda ash, ammonia, nitric acid, and ammonium nitrate is emitted into the air and – over time – these chemical residues have been deposited onto Persepolis rocks and monuments. This chemical factory is barricaded on one side by a tall mountain and the only escape route for the chemical waste is toward to open area where the Persepolis is exposed – helplessly – to these chemical residues.
http://www.pogdc.com/en/portfolio/me/shirazpetrochemical
I do hope that this will raise awareness and urge the UNESCO World Heritage to address and intervene the land erosion at Persepolis.
Sources:
http://whc.unesco.org/?cid=31&l=en&id_site=114&gallery=1&maxrows=36
Video by NHK (Japan TV) about Persepolis
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/114/video
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/114/gallery/
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/114/
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Sincerely
Founder of usetobeused
Shahrzad Sabet
http://usetobeused.com/elementor-338/