Bam Cultural Landscape

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Bam and its Cultural Landscape is an outstanding example of a Central Asian trading settlement. The town had its heyday from the 7th to 11th centuries.

The ancient citadel of Arg-é Bam probably has a history dating back around 2000 years ago, to the Parthian dynasty (248 BC-224 AD), but most buildings were built during the Safavid dynasty (1501/1502 to 1722). It could grow into an oasis thanks to an underground water management system (qanâts), which has continued its function till the present time.

The city was largely abandoned due to an Afghan invasion in 1722, which overcame a weak Iranian government and ended Safavid rule.

Bam was almost completely destroyed in an earthquake on December 26, 2003. The quake had a magnitude of 6.6 on the Richter scale.

Year	Decision	Comments
2004	Inscribed	Reasons for inscription
2004	In Danger

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• Bam and its Cultural Landscape
• Country: Iran
• Year: 2004
• In Danger
• Cultural Heritage
  Criteria:  (2) (3) (4) (5)
• Category: Human activity, Cultural landscape
• Connections: Destroyed or damaged by Earthquake . Parthian Empire . World Monuments Watch (past) .
  
  News and links:
  » Iran to reopen restored Bam barracks in February 2009 (18-01-2009).
  » Italy and Iran have recently signed an agreement for buttressing, preservation, and restoration of the Bam Citadel (09-09-2008).
  » Bam - 1911 encyclopedia.
  » Sacred sites.
  
  
  
  

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