Mace of Bahram II restored, but fine detail of bas-relief ruined

TEHRAN,Dec.25 (MNA) -- A team of Iranian experts completed the restoration of the mace of Bahram II on a rock bas-relief, which was entirely severed by unknown people. The restoration project began early last week, but the fine detail of the head of the mace has been ruined, cultural heritage activist Mohsen Abbaspur told on Saturday. “Over 30 percent of the details on the surface of the mace has obliterated,” he stated. Located in Tang-e Chogan, a gorge near the town of Kazerun in Iran’s southern province of Fars, the rock bas-relief depicts Sassanid king Bahram II (reigned 276–293 CE) on a horse while holding a mace and a number of Arab rulers are bringing him gifts. The head of the mace was completely severed by unknown persons with a sledgehammer or similar instrument on December 9. The shape of mace is very common in the bas-reliefs and artifacts dating back to the Sassanid era, but the mace was the most intact example of its kind, said Abbaspur, who is also a member of the central council of the Association of Like-Minded Youth. “Unfortunately, part of the bas-relief has lost its fine detail and nothing remains of the artifact except some photos and models and a damaged work that has been reclaimed by restoration somehow,” he added. “The restoration project was completed, but nothing has been done yet to equip the site with an adequate security system,” he lamented. Inadequate security measures ease the way for abuse at the ancient and historical sites. Prior to the destruction of the bas relief, an explosion occurred at the Bishapur cave near Tang-e Chogan. A statue of Sassanid king Shapur I (241–272 CE) is located in the lofty cave. Who destroyed the mace of Bahram? The severed pieces were left at the foot of the bas-relief. Thus, Abbaspur had previously stated that the head of the mace was destroyed by vandals. He said that personal animosity of local people toward the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO) is the reason behind the acts of vandalism. The limitations imposed by the CHTHO on construction projects, which are owned by local people, have caused the enmity, he added. Some experts and cultural heritage officials blamed local Arabs for the destruction on the bas-relief, which depicts Arab rulers paying ransom to the Persian king. However, an expert of the Fars Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the mace was severed by people who thought the head of the mace contained a number of pieces of Sassanid royal jewelry. “The head of the mace protrudes more than other parts of the bas-relief. The people thought it was a bag that contained a number of items of royal jewelry,” he explained.