Ecological restoration of historical monuments (With a Focus on the Restoration of Chogha Zanbil)

Abstract

Architecture has always been an art wherein one can observe the traces of human desires, goals, and behavioral patterns throughout history. Iran, a land of ancient heritage, is rich in architectural elements, historical spaces, and monuments, which not only hold a powerful presence in the realm of Iranian culture but also serve as a means to revive and expand historical and cultural connections with the past. This research employs a descriptive-analytical approach alongside field observations to address the subject of restoring historical monuments and its significance and necessity for preserving the historical fabric of Iranian architecture. The approach taken in this study is ecological restoration. We aim to illustrate not only the architectural characteristics and features of the unique earthen structure of Chogha Zanbil but also to assess the countless possibilities offered by this ecological method of preserving and maintaining historical structures. The findings indicate that the ecological restoration of the Chogha Zanbil ziggurat, on one hand, preserves the historical-cultural and religious authenticity of the site, and on the other hand, reflects the cultural relationship between the architectural space of the ziggurat and the surrounding environmental elements of these historical monuments.