Urgent Alert: Land Subsidence Poses Risk to Iconic Achaemenid Heritage Sites in Southern Iran

Experts are sounding the alarm over the troubling issue of land subsidence affecting two of Iran’s most treasured archaeological sites: Naqsh-e Rostam and Persepolis. These sites are not only vital to Iran’s cultural heritage but also face severe risks due to unsustainable agricultural practices prevalent in the fertile plains of Fars province.

According to Mehdi Zare, a senior professor at the International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology, the extensive extraction of groundwater for large-scale rice and maize farming in the Marvdasht plain has triggered alarming land subsidence. The ground gaps have now reached dangerously close to Naqsh-e Rostam, with distances as short as 10 meters, while Persepolis is affected from distances of 300 to 500 meters.

During a recent panel discussion on climate change and cultural heritage at the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism (RICHT), Zare highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that the subsidence rate in the Marvdasht region ranges between 20 to 30 centimeters annually. He cautioned that this phenomenon poses a dual threat: not only to Iran’s invaluable cultural heritage but also potentially activating regional fault lines.

• Urgent Measures Needed: Zare called for immediate action to regulate groundwater extraction and to revise agricultural policies that are worsening the crisis.
• Sustainability Concerns: He emphasized that overdrawing groundwater beyond its natural recharge levels is both unsustainable and perilous.

Adding to the discussion, Hamid Fadaei, a faculty member at the Conservation and Restoration Research Institute, echoed Zare’s concerns. He pointed out that the ongoing practice of rice farming— a crop historically foreign to the region— is significantly jeopardizing the area’s natural resources and its ancient heritage.

“Rice cultivation has no historical precedent in Fars and contradicts the region’s traditional agricultural practices,” Fadaei stated. He elaborated that during the Achaemenid era, the region was a major supplier of grains, vegetables, and livestock, and not rice. This modern agricultural approach, he argued, is a misstep that requires urgent correction.

Fadaei also advocated for a shift towards sustainable practices and heritage-based development. He underscored the potential of local cultural heritage and handicrafts as sustainable alternatives for economic growth. “We’ve neglected the region’s heritage assets in favor of heavy industry, but these resources can and should be revitalized,” he asserted.

Both Naqsh-e Rostam and Persepolis are renowned globally for their historical significance and architectural majesty. The risks posed by land subsidence not only threaten these sites but also the rich cultural tapestry that they represent. The alarming rates of subsidence and the call for sustainable agricultural practices echo a broader need for environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.

As the situation continues to develop, stakeholders must prioritize the delicate balance between agricultural practices and the preservation of cultural heritage. The integration of sustainable farming techniques, alongside a renewed focus on the region’s historical agricultural practices, could mitigate the risks faced by these invaluable sites.

In conclusion, the preservation of Naqsh-e Rostam and Persepolis is not just an issue of cultural pride; it is also a matter of national and environmental importance. The urgent call for sustainable practices and a reevaluation of current agricultural policies reflects a growing awareness of the interconnectedness of cultural heritage and environmental health.