The Natural-Historical Landscape of Izeh
Iran (Islamic Republic of)Iranian Cultural heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization
Province of Khuzestan
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Description
This cultural-natural-historical site encompasses Ashkoft Salman, Koul Farah, Khoung Azhdar and many other properties dating back to 1300 to 700 years ago. In the rock paintings, the figures have been painted one after another in a way that they make a background for the perspective. It is the first time that women have been painted together with men in Iranian paintings.
Justification of Outstanding Universal Value
Generous nature of Bakhtiari (Mid Zagros) provides the mankind with all they need for living:
I. Providing their most needed things andprotecting against devil and enemies, our ancestors selected the narrow paths in the mounts to build their temples to worship God. Near Izeh on the rocks of Narsi Na (Koul Farah) and Tarisha (Ashkoft Salman) on the western and eastern sides of fertile Izeh plain and at a1 Okrn distance of Izeh city, talented architects touching up rocks with a bit of artistic decoration to carve devine symbols, drawing of sacrifices and a line of worshippers offering valuable gifts before the king and the king folks. The above mentioned story inscribed in Ilimite documents was written in cuneiform. Name "Aya pir" has been also mentioned.
II. Next to Shooshun (a plain with rich culture), Ilimite natural temples are considered unique. Carvings on the walls of the cave in Ashkooft Salman and creation of such a perfect collection of magniJicent inscriptions on the rocks needed modern tools and management capabilities. This creative masterpiece gives the next generations a great amount of knowledge about the rich culture in trust. Proper selection, clever designing of decoration in these natural temples and utilizing huge rocks harmoniously all signzfi their creatorsr innovation and made a unique temple in Koul Farah.
III. Drawing of a queen as tall as the king and by his side in carved rocks and name her in Ilimite inscriptions in cuneiform is not a fable. This can reveal the ladies with influential political role and can be considered as a valuable historical document for the claim that in Iranian culture women were of great position like men. This lady can be a sister of the king or successor.
IV. Tarisha and Narsi Na temples are prominent samples of locating proper places of great silence, deserted and spiritual environment and a natural observatory for temples. Though the man-made changes have been almost disappeared (archeological excavations should be made in the area), eye catching view of green and fertile plain of Izeh with two beautiful ponds could be magnificent in itself
V. Signs of the life is scattered on all the surrounding mounts of narrow path temples. Mian Dasht ancient hills with some remains of Ilimite reveals the great culture of this civilization.
VI. Customs, rituals and traditions of the land are rooted in forgotten believes like Totemism, Tabooism, Fetishism and Animism and divine religious that are apart of its history. Dwellers of this fertile land selected to be nomads due to the natural conditions of the area.
Statements of authenticity and/or integrity
The relics and studies and excavations.
Comparison with other similar properties
The rock carving of Anubanini in Sar e Pol Zahaab