TEHRAN-- Visits to the underground city of Samen in Malayer, Hamedan province are permitted as long as safety measures are followed, the deputy provincial tourism chief has said.Samen is currently available in a small number and with coordination, and throughout the go to, all security points are observed, Ali Khaksar discussed on Tuesday.

The security concerns raised by the tourist minister Ezzatollah Zarghami in December when he inaugurated the underground city are being dealt with and executed, the official added.

Back in December, the main announced that a budget of 25 billion rials ($62,500) was spent on the excavation, repair, security, and preparation of the ancient troglodytic settlement, which dates back to the Parthian period (247 BC-- 224 CE).

A distinct complex with human skeletons and granite stone structures, the underground city of Samen has been gotten ready for a public visit in this stage with two workshops and 30 rooms, Khaksar added.Since 2007, the excavations of Samen have actually been going on continuously, and until 2015, six seasons of archaeological surveys have been performed, he mentioned.To date, the needed remediations and defense plans have actually been completed on this important structure, he noted.Since the human skeletons found in this underground city were significantly deteriorated, with the aid of cultural heritage professionals and restorers, a study and paperwork of the skeletons and bones were performed in their place, he explained.The skeletons then were transferred to the provinces cultural heritage department and will be gone back to the underground city after preparation and complete restoration, he said.Samen subterranean settlement has 25 rock-carved rooms, interlinked tunnels, and corridors.The below ground complex appears to have actually been initially utilized for religious functions, then as a cemetery, and finally as a shelter throughout emergencies.The underground complex, located 400 km west of Tehran, is thought to be built at some point in between the fall of the Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BC) and the early Parthian period (247 BC-224 CE).

Excavations at the website started in 2005 and were still going on.

Far, tens of well-preserved skeletons have been recovered from its interconnected chambers.Iran is a haven for ancient troglodytic architecture which is rather forgotten, though they are filled with life and creativity.

The northwest Kandovan town is one of the most well-known examples of troglodytic architecture in the nation; its ice-cream cone-shaped houses resemble that of Turkeys Cappadocia.Known in classical times as Ecbatana, Hamedan was one of the ancient worlds biggest cities.

Pitifully little remains from antiquity, however substantial parts of the town hall are provided over to excavations.

Ecbatana was the capital of Media and subsequently a summer season house of the Achaemenian kings who ruled Persia from 553 to 330 BC.Hamedan has had lots of names: it was potentially the Bit Daiukki of the Assyrians, Hangmatana, or Agbatana, to the Medes, and Ecbatana to the Greeks.

One of the Median capitals, under Cyrus II (the Great; died 529 BC) and later on Achaemenian rulers, it was the site of a royal summer season palace.About 1220 Hamedan was ruined by the Mongols.

In 1386 it was sacked by Timur (Tamerlane), a Turkic conqueror, and the occupants were massacred.

It was partially brought back in the 17th century and subsequently changed hands often between Iranian judgment homes and the Ottomans.Sitting on a high plain, Hamedan is enthusiastically cool in August but snow prone and freezing from December to March.

In summer season, the air is frequently hazy.Ali Sadr cave, Ganjnameh engravings, Avicenna Mausoleum, Hegmataneh hill, Alaviyan dome, Jameh mosque, and St.

Stephanos Gregorian Church are amongst Hamedans tourist attractions to call a few.ABU/