Documenting the Bam Citadel Using Modern Technologies - 2004-01-13

Documenting the Bam Citadel using modern technologies - 2004-01-13. Laser documentation and new photogrammetry technology will begin next week to better understand the area and to revive the historical Bam Citadel complex. The 2000-year-old Bam Citadel is the largest adobe structure in the world, and according to officials from Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization, about 80% of it was destroyed during the 6.3 magnitude earthquake on December 26. According to Heritage News, Mohammad Hassan Talebian (the project manager for the revival of the historical Bam Citadel) stated about the documentation operations at the citadel: 'With the help of an Iranian company and using equipment from an Austrian company, the documentation work using laser technology will begin next week, and given the high speed of this method, the documentation phase will be completed within at least two months.' He added: 'Upon completion of the documentation, the analysis of the obtained results will begin. These results will play a significant role in geological studies, understanding the structure, earthquake behaviors on the complex, and archaeological studies that specify various periods, all aimed at reviving the Bam Citadel complex.' Talebian also discussed the main objectives of the Bam Citadel revival project, stating: 'Documentation studies, archaeology, structural studies, and ultimately the revival of the complex are among the fundamental objectives of the Bam Citadel revival project.' Based on this report, the historical Bam Citadel, which dates back to the Parthian era and has undergone various restorations, is now the largest adobe ruin in the world. This historical complex was a complete city, with distinct areas for the public, neighborhoods, covered passages, markets, mosques, and the ruling section.