A practical training seminar on emergency preservation and restoration was held in Tehran at the Ardashir Palace and Kaleh Dokhtar Fortress, located near Firuzabad in southern Iran. The event gathered heritage preservation specialists and university students to gain practical experience in protecting historical structures.
Afshin Ebrahimi, director of the Sasanian Archaeological Landscape of Fars World Heritage site, reported that the seminar took place on Friday, October 30, with the participation of the World Heritage site management team, curators from Isfahan University of Arts, and twelve students.
The program aimed to familiarize students with practical methods of heritage conservation, monitoring, documentation, and emergency restoration, thereby bridging the gap between academic knowledge and hands-on experience at historical sites.
During the seminar, participants studied specialized measures for site preservation and periodic monitoring procedures. They also took part in practical exercises that included topographic surveying, preparation of detailed sketches, mapping, and damage assessment of selected wall surfaces at Kaleh Dokhtar, as well as filling out conservation monitoring records.
Ebrahimi emphasized that learning the correct identification and documentation of structural damage is critical for effective monument preservation. Participants were also presented with monitoring forms and technical information necessary for assessing and recording the conditions of historic buildings.
Another part of the program was dedicated to emergency preservation work at the Ardashir Palace. Students, under the guidance of specialists, participated in re-tamping sections of the palace walls and preparing gypsum models to track changes in the structure.
According to Ebrahimi, holding such seminars can strengthen the technical capabilities of the next generation of preservation specialists, promote the transfer of practical experience, and advance scientifically based approaches to protecting Sasanian heritage.
The Ardashir Palace, also known as Ardashir Papakan Palace, dates back to the beginning of the third century and was built by Ardashir I, the founder of the Sasanian Empire. Located near Firuzabad, this monument is distinguished by its vaulted halls, monumental iwan, and construction using stone and mortar.
Kaleh Dokhtar, another major Sasanian monument in the Firuzabad area, is a fortified structure traditionally attributed to Ardashir I. Its architectural features include vaulted halls, arches, domes, and staircases.
Both monuments are part of the Sasanian Archaeological Landscape of Fars region, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018. This site encompasses archaeological remains in Firuzabad, Bishapur, and Sarvestan, illustrating the development of Sasanian architecture and the early history of the empire.