Preservation of Historic Heritage Sites in Iran

Abstract

The history of preservation of architectural heritage site in Iran is closely related to the development of archeological activities in the nineteenth century and the presence of a large number of European specialists in the country. In mid-nineteenth century, there was a revival of interest in Orientalism in general and the exploration of archeological sites in Iran in particular. Several French, German, British, and American experts moved to Iran, performed excavations on historic sites, advised the government about the notions of preservation and related laws, and contributed to the formation of a new generation of Iranian administrators and highly talented Iranian architects, who ultimately defined contemporary architecture in Iran in the twentieth century. The initial presence of European experts in Iran was heavily influenced by the French, who introduced the theories of Beaux Arts and Violet le Duc to Iran. In the late twentieth centuries, it was the Italian expertise that educated and formed a generation of qualified Iranians in the fields of conservation of all historical heritage values. This started with the direct involvement of Italians in restoring and preserving a large number of significant Iranian architectural sites as well as the educating process of the next Iranian experts. Furthermore, the evolution of preservation of heritage values in Iran was subject to massive political changes. The initial efforts started during the late nineteenth century during the Qajar period, upon the foundation of the Pahlavi dynasty by Reza Shah in 1925, the concept of preservation of historical sites and artifacts was restructured with a massive ideological program. They were then developed into a world class practice of conservation efforts on an international scale since 1972, only to be restructered again after the Islamic Revolution of 1978. This essay will explore the history, the parameters, the legislation, and the formation of the culture of preservation of historic heritage sites in Iran, from nineteenth century to present.