The Islamic Republic of Iran, which holds in great contempt any non-Islamic belief or heritage, has embarked on destroying the archeological sites of Pasargad and Persepolis -- some of humanity's most prized cultural heritage. The heinous destruction of the two Buddha statues by Afghanistan's Taliban, pales in comparison to the present barbaric designs of the Islamic Republic.
Pasargad and Persepolis are more than a mere collection of ancient structures. They are embodiments of humanity's historical respect for liberty and tolerance of diversity. Among the sites to be destroyed is the tomb of the renowned Archimedean king, Cyrus the Great, of 2500 years ago who is recognized as the early champion of human rights. It was this great trailblazer of human rights who freed the Jews from captivity and promoted freedom of culture, religion and beliefs in the vast empire under his rule.
The construction of the Sivand Dam on the Polvar River that will submerge this priceless historical and cultural site began in 1992 without consultation with or the knowledge of the Cultural Heritage Organization officials. The dam is slated for operation in early 2006. Once in operation, the dam will eventually flood the entire Tang-e Bolaghi (Bolaghi Gorge) mountain pass and the surrounding region. As a result some 8 kilometers of the Bolaghi Gorge will be submerged and lost forever. The experts of ICHCTO and the Pars-e Pasargad Research Foundation have identified more than 100 archeological sites that are threatened with permanent destruction.
It is humanity's most precious heritage -- yours and your descendents' heritage -- of great value which is in dire need of your support. Generations of humanity will bemoan the loss of this living testimony to the nobility of mankind. The destructive hand of the Islamic zealots must be stayed. Stand up, raise your voice and do what is in your power to preserve what is rightfully yours.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
This petition has been made to:
UNESCO World Heritage Committee Members, Honorable Koffi A. Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, Honorable leaders of the Free World, Honorable Citizens of the Planet Earth
Click Here to Sign Petition
PERSPOLIS
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The site's Iranian name is Takht-e-Jamshid, "The throne of Jamshid", a mythical King of Iran. The ancient name is "Parsa", "Pars's Town". Provincial of Fars. Altitude 1,800 meters, 60 km N-E of Shiraz on an excellent road, 420 km S of Esfahan on a good road. International airport at Shiraz. National airport at perspolis.
A large bare plain, surrounded by mauve cliffs with sharp edges. It is there, in the center of the Marv Dasht basin, that Cyrus the Great chose, toward the end of the his reign, to build under the shelter of a fold in the mountains, a palace worthy of the Empire. It was named Parsa, but later under subsequent Greek influence became known as perspolis, "The city of the Persians".
Click on Pictures to Enlarge
"The Gate of All Nations, Takt-e-Jamshid (perspolis) "
You go to Pasargarde to contemplate, in the solitude of Land deserted for the past two thousand years, the tomb of Cyrus, the founder of an Empire. But you first go through Naqsh-e-Rostam is a sort of "Valley of Kings", dominated by tall ochre-colored cliffs, cracked and wrinkled by the wind with half-way up, the cross-shaped cavities of the tombs cut right into the stone.
"Tomb of Cyrus the Great, Pasargad, Fars Province"
Without going into detail the following excursion site are worthy of mentions: Bishahpur(140 km to the West on the Ahvaz road), a large archaeological site in gorgeous mountain setting, with the remnants of the palace of the Sassanid King Shahpur (241-272 A.D.), the Qalaeh-ye Dokhtar Gorges, controlled by an impressive system of fortifications erected in the 10th and 11th centuries (near Firouzabad, 110km South of Shiraz); other Sassanid fortresses near Fasa (170 km to the S-E); farther on the same road, in the direction of Darab (280 km of Shiraz) fortified enclosures, bas reliefs and at Darab proper, a que, cross-shaped mosque hewn out of the rock.
"The Southern face of the Gate of All Nations"
The many buildings which make up perspolis are on an artificial terrace about 300 metres long and 450 meters wide, between 10 and 20 meters above ground-level. You reach the terrace by a monumental double staircase.
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The Heat: Iran's Political Landscape
Save this Heritage of Humanity 
10/11/2005 
