Cultural Heritage Organization Confirms Burial of 'Unknown Martyrs' in the Ancient Site of Pasargadae

Officials from Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization state that the remains of 'two unknown martyrs' have been buried in the 'second-degree buffer zone' of Pasargadae, approximately two kilometers from the tomb of Cyrus, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire. This news comes after a previous denial of the action. The public relations office of the Cultural Heritage Organization reported on Saturday, March 4, that these remains were buried two days prior at 'the beginning of the entrance to the village of Mother Soleiman and in the second-degree buffer zone of Pasargadae.' Mohammad Hassan Talebian, the Deputy of Cultural Heritage, mentioned that 'considering the importance of preserving the visual buffer of historical and global sites and maintaining the sanctity of the burial site of martyrs, it is necessary that any memorial construction for the burial site of martyrs be coordinated with the Cultural Heritage Organization and based on legal standards and criteria.' Masib Amiri, the Director General of Cultural Heritage in Fars Province, also stated that 'there had been previous requests for the burial of unknown martyrs in the historical site of Pasargadae, but through negotiations by the organization in Tehran and explanations regarding existing restrictions, a new location was designated within the second-degree buffer zone of the site.' According to the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), Mr. Amiri added: 'Three martyrs from the Sacred Defense era were transferred to Pasargadae for burial, with the remains of two martyrs being moved to the village of Pasargadae for burial.' This cultural heritage official noted: 'The designated location for the burial and the establishment of a memorial for the unknown martyrs is within the second-degree buffer zone of the historical site, and according to global heritage laws, the construction of a memorial or building with a maximum height of 4.5 meters does not have legal prohibitions or restrictions.' The confirmation of the burial of several victims of the Iran-Iraq war in the second-degree buffer zone of Pasargadae comes after a report the previous day indicated that, following inquiries from officials of the Cultural Heritage Organization, this action had been canceled. The website 'Aban Press' also reported that following inquiries from Cultural Heritage officials, the remains of these two individuals were buried on the 'Noor al-Shohada Hill,' also known as the 'Park of Unknown Martyrs.' However, it has now been announced that this issue occurred in the second-degree buffer zone of Pasargadae. Pasargadae is the burial site and tomb of Cyrus, the first king of the Achaemenid Empire, which has recently become a gathering place for people during certain national occasions.