A Big Achaemenid Dam Discovered in MarvDasht

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   A Big Achaemenid Dam Discovered in MarvDasht

Remains of a big dam belonging to
the Achaemenid era were discovered in Fars province. It is supposed
that this dam had an agricultural usage.

Tehran, 8 March 2006 (CHN) �
Archeological excavations of French team in Fars province led to the
discovery of the remains of a big dam belonging to the Achaemenid era.
This earthen dam, constructed with stone channels, is located in Hana
Gorge in MarvDasht plain near Khorambid city in Fars province. It is
supposed that this dam was constructed to hold the water of Hana Gorge
River and direct it to MarvDasht�s agricultural fields.

�Archeological
evidence indicates that most possibly the earthen dam located in Hana
Gorge, was constructed by stone channels during the Achaemenid era. It
is also supposed that this dam must have been constructed to bring the
water of the river under control and direct it to agricultural lands of
MarvDasht plain,� said Remy Boucharlat, head of French archeological
team in MarvDasht to CHN.

This earthen dam consisted of a canal,
built with scraped gray stones for directing water. Metal joints were
used for fastening these stones. The remains of this dam are known as
the Demon Cave for the people of the region. More archeological
excavations are still needed to determine the characteristics of this
dam. 

MarvDasht earthen dam was almost 500 meters in length, 10
to 15 meters in height, and 10 to 30 meters in width. The eastern part
of this dam has been destroyed due to the flooding of the river. 

�Northern
and Southern parts and the stone canal of this dam have been destroyed
by loader and explosive materials to some extent,� said Hamid Reza
Rezaei, director of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization of
MarvDasht and head of Pasargadae Research Center. 

Despite all
these destructions caused by loaders, explosive materials, and also
illegal diggings, this earthen dam has still remained intact in some
parts up to 5 meters high. 

Using explosive materials and
loader for the destruction of this dam indicate that how this dam was
constructed substantially during the Achaemenid period, that after 2500
years from its construction explosive materials are needed to destroy
it. 

�Mapping of this earthen dam has been finished and it is ready for Boucharlat archeological excavations,� added Rezaei. 

The
earthen dam in MarvDasht plain, which must have been constructed during
the Achaemenid era, is located in 25 kilometer south of Khorambid city
in Fars province.

http://www.chn.ir/en/news/?section=2&id=6232 