Hamid Fadaei, Majid Ayasi , Parisa Babar Shams Mogouei, Masoud Bater, Kazem Borhani-Ahang, Elahe Khakbaz Alvandian, Mohammad-Saeid Saedi , Roozbeh Shamseh, Reza Sheykh-Al-Eslami, Majid Oloumi , Mahdi Koliaei, Nahid Harati-Ardestani , Reza Hormehr , Soheila Zakavi ,
Volume 1, Issue 4 (3-2019)
Abstract
Archaeological excavations at the ancient site of Haft-Tepe commenced in the winter of 1965 under the direction of Dr. Negahban and continued for fourteen seasons until 1978. These excavations led to the discovery of a significant assemblage of architectural remains and diverse historical artefacts. Among the finds were various ceramic vessels and objects, a collection of clay tablets, seals and seal impressions, a range of bronze artefacts, numerous fragments of painted mud plaster, coffins, stone objects, clay busts, as well as decorative items such as necklaces, plaques, glass vessels, and bone tools. A considerable portion of these artefacts is today preserved in the Haft-Tepe Museum. In response to the quantity and importance of the discoveries, the idea of establishing a museum adjacent to the archaeological site was raised during the second season of excavations. Construction began in 1970 and, upon completion, the museum was inaugurated in the spring of 1973. With the outbreak of the Iran–Iraq War in 1980, the museum was closed; part of its prominent collection was transferred to Tehran, while other objects remained in situ. In the spring of 2001, research and conservation activities were resumed under the auspices of the Chogha Zanbil - Haft Tepe Cultural Heritage Base. One of the first major undertakings during this period was the reorganisation of the museum’s collection, carried out in collaboration with graduate students of conservation from the University of Art, Esfahan. In this process, artefacts that had previously been kept in unsuitable and scattered conditions were collected, classified, recorded, documented, and systematically arranged. This initiative laid a crucial foundation for the long-term preservation and safeguarding of the invaluable heritage of Haft-Tepe.
Hamid Fadaei, Amirhossein Karimi, Anahita Oliaei,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (1-2020)
Abstract
A portion of the historical documents related to the history of Haft-Tepe Museum and the general state of cultural heritage in the region is preserved within the museum building. Following the establishment of the Chogha Zanbil Cultural Heritage Research Office in the museum—which had been closed during the eight-year imposed war—the organization of the remaining research objects, as well as the old documents, became a priority. This collection primarily includes administrative letters (in Persian and English), visitor statistics, letters of introduction, old object inventories, personnel files of former staff, and registers of correspondence and attendance. The existing documents, dating from 1970 to 1981, were kept under inadequate conditions. The collection was reviewed and systematically organized in two stages during 2001 and 2003, which is the focus of the present article. These documents are significant as they reflect aspects of the museum’s history and events. Due to the fragility and deterioration of many items, they were categorized, catalogued, and initially examined before being placed in transparent plastic covers and archived in corresponding binders. Additionally, digital scanning and the recording of important correspondence were undertaken as part of the organization process. These measures have facilitated a deeper study of the museum’s past, its collections, and the status of regional cultural heritage in the years preceding the revolution and the onset of the imposed war.
