Transformation of the Archaeological Institute into 'Wisdom Studies'; A Researcher: They Have Wasted Six Decades of Scientific Work

Social media users have reported the repurposing of the 'Archaeological Institute of Tehran University' into the 'Institute of Wisdom Studies.' Ehsan Shorabi, an archaeologist and numismatist based in Vienna, shared an image of the institute's sign on his X account, stating: 'News from Tehran indicates that a greedy group has occupied the building of the Archaeological Institute of Tehran University on Poursina Street and established a so-called Institute of Wisdom Studies.' This graduate of archaeology from Tehran University further expressed that 'it is bitter and painful that they lash out at the half-dead body of archaeology in Iran,' adding: 'The Archaeological Institute of Tehran University was founded by the late Professor Ezzatollah Negahban in 1959.' According to him, the 'Poursina Street building,' which has now been converted into a wisdom studies institute, previously served as a 'repository for research findings (ceramic bank), an archaeology laboratory, and a place for research and student education.' The Cultural Heritage Organization and subsequently the 'Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts' in the Islamic Republic have always had a politically charged management that has faced severe criticism from professionals in the field. Meanwhile, Iranian media have repeatedly reported on the 'destruction and plundering' of Iran's archaeological and national heritage in recent decades. Another user named 'Roozbeh Garizi' also shared the new sign of this building, quoting 'Hojjatoleslam Parsania,' the head of this institute, stating: 'The connection between Islam and sciences, which has been delayed for 200 years, is hoped to be established with the opening of this complex (Wisdom Studies).' Hamid Parsania, a member of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council, is a student of Jawadi Amoli, a high-ranking cleric supporting the Islamic Republic, and is known for his fundamentalist views on sciences. Ehsan Shorabi, the archaeologist, also shared another image of the courtyard and open storage area of this building, stating: 'Look closely at this photo! They have occupied the only academic institute for archaeological research in Iran and have left its research reserves like this in the courtyard.' This numismatist based in Vienna also added: 'What is in these boxes is the product of over six decades of effort by archaeologists from Tehran University. It is painful.'