The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is continuing the evaluation process of the cultural landscape of Masuleh for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. An international ICOMOS expert is conducting field inspections and participating in specialized meetings dedicated to the architectural, archaeological, ecological, and socio-economic heritage of this Iranian city.
The current assessment, taking place in Gilan province in northern Iran, examines various aspects of Masuleh and its surrounding area. These aspects include physical structure, ecological features, local livelihoods, social structures, and governance methods, according to data from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts.
The assessment program involves on-site inspections and discussions with university professors, researchers, and heritage specialists. The main goal is to ensure the preservation of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the city while guaranteeing its long-term conservation and sustainable development.
As part of this assessment, the ICOMOS expert visited the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Rasht. Historical collections from the entire Gilan province were displayed there, including archaeological finds from Old Masuleh. Among the exhibited artifacts were the silver-gilded cup of Rashi and the gold cup of Tole from Talesh, which testify to the ancient history of the region and developed metalworking traditions.
Specialists also reviewed the results of archaeological excavations and experimental archaeology, paying particular attention to studies of historical iron production technologies. Researchers presented data from a project that included the reconstruction and experimental work of ancient furnaces for smelting iron, thereby illuminating the industrial history of Masuleh.
Last year, an interdisciplinary research group successfully reconstructed a medieval complex for iron smelting and casting at the Old Masuleh archaeological site. This reconstruction demonstrated the technological capabilities of the communities that once inhabited the area.
The project, led by Farzad Asadi, a lecturer at Islamic Azad University, involved the experimental reconstruction of a four-stage furnace system, which was documented over approximately two decades of archaeological investigation. The experiment went beyond simply restoring the physical structure; researchers studied its operational characteristics, such as airflow, thermal efficiency, and the production process from sponge iron to cast iron.
The reconstructed complex featured channels with preheated air, permanent stone structures, and a specialized casting setup, distinguishing it from simpler, temporary smelting furnaces. Laboratory analysis of the resulting slag and iron also indicated high material purity and significant control over the production process.
Mostafa Pourali, director of the Masuleh nomination dossier as a World Heritage site, reported that the second, more detailed phase of the reconstruction revealed technological links to broader Iranian furnace types. These findings suggest the potential role of Old Masuleh as a permanent center for iron production and a hub for technological exchange along historic trade routes connecting Iran with the Caucasus and Central Asia. This research is expected to be published internationally.
Beyond its archaeological significance, the furnace reconstruction added an industrial dimension to the understanding of Masuleh's cultural landscape, showing that the settlement's historical importance extends beyond its distinctive architecture and natural surroundings.
Other discussions during the ICOMOS assessment concerned sustainable management and community-based conservation. Participants reviewed approaches to managing the historic settlement through active resident participation while protecting its terraced residential structure and maintaining the link between people, the mountain environment, and traditional livelihoods.
The program also included ecological studies and archaeobotanical surveys. These interdisciplinary investigations aim to improve the scientific documentation of the region's historical ecological conditions and the relationship between past communities and their natural environment.
Meetings also addressed the physical preservation of Masuleh, including building codes, the use of traditional building materials, appropriate restoration methods, and managing changes in the vulnerable mountain settlement. According to the Iranian dossier, Masuleh dates back 800 to 1000 years. Its numerous cemeteries, located both inside and outside the settlement, are one of the archaeological evidences of its historical depth.
The city is particularly distinguished by its multi-story, terraced urban planning, which follows the contour of the surrounding mountains. The architecture is closely integrated with the natural landscape, and the placement of buildings allows the roofs of lower houses to function as pedestrian areas and inner courtyards for upper levels. The traditional architectural composition also reflects the importance of craftsmanship and the visual character of the settlement. Since the main facades of the houses are visible to residents and visitors, local builders and artisans paid great attention to appearance and architectural details.
The nomination dossier describes the combination of traditional architecture and natural scenery as a potential basis for tourism development, while acknowledging the close relationship between tourism and the preservation of local livelihoods. The final stage of the assessment emphasizes the need to view Masuleh as an integrated cultural landscape, rather than merely an architectural attraction. Its historical buildings, traditional industries, archaeological remains, ecological setting, and resident community collectively contribute to its heritage value.
The ongoing ICOMOS assessment is a crucial step in the international review of Iran's nomination. ICOMOS acts as an advisory body to UNESCO on cultural heritage nominations, conducting expert evaluations before the World Heritage Committee considers the possibility of listing the site.
