TEHRAN — Lichens and weeds growing in the narrow gaps and holes of the Sassanid bas-reliefs at the ruins of the ancient city of Bishapur in southwestern Iran are gradually destroying these irreplaceable antiquities.
The lichens and weeds are clearly visible on all six bas-reliefs of the city, which is located 19 kilometers north of Kazerun, the Persian service of the Mehr News Agency reported on Saturday.
One of the bas-reliefs depicts Shapur I, Persian king of the Sassanid dynasty, who consolidated and expanded the empire founded by his father, Ardashir I.
It shows him seated on a throne, witnessing a triumph of his army. In the top row, he is flanked by nobles of the court, and the lower row contains soldiers who present captives and trophies of victory.
The Shiraz Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department, which is responsible for protecting ancient site historical monuments in Fars Province, has made no efforts to remove the lichens and weeds.
