INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN - The ruined Oltan fortress, a vast mud-brick complex located in northwest Iran, has been identified as a site of significant
historical value with the potential to achieve UNESCO World Heritage recognition, an Iranian archaeologist told IRNA on Saturday.Rouhollah
Mohammadi, who serves as the head of the Archaeology Group at the Ardabil Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts,
described the site as the largest mud-brick archaeological site in northwest Iran.Situated along the Aras River near the town of Oltan in
Parsabad county, the fortress encompasses a rich collection of historical features
These include a cemetery dating back to the first millennium BC, the Oltan tappeh (representing Parthian and Sassanian periods), the central
citadel of Oltan Qalasi (spanning the Sassanian, early Islamic, Seljuk, and Ilkhanid eras), and an outer industrial and residential area
from the 2nd to 7th centuries AH
Archaeological studies suggest the site once spanned over 2 square kilometers, with early Islamic references identifying it as the historic
national heritage site and to establish collaborative international archaeological teams to further study, restore, and preserve the site
the Aras River, a key historical and geographical feature in the region
Its strategic position and architectural grandeur highlight its importance as a cultural and historical landmark.AM
