2,700-Year-Old Site, Centuries-Old Mosque Tipped for UNESCO Listing

Date: 18 November 2025 - 22:04

News ID: ۱۴۵۹۷۰

TEHRAN -- Iran is advancing efforts to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for two of its most historically significant sites: the 2,700-year-old Rabat Mound in Sardasht and the Tari Khaneh Mosque in Damghan, one of the oldest post-Islamic mosques in the world.
Both sites reflect Iran’s rich cultural legacy, spanning ancient civilizations and early Islamic architecture.
Rabat Mound, located in northwestern Iran near the Rabat River, is a multi-layered archaeological site dating back to the Achaemenid and Parthian periods.
Excavations over the past two decades by a team of twelve prominent archaeologists have uncovered pottery, metal artifacts, cuneiform inscriptions, and religious architectural remains, shedding light on the daily life, rituals, and beliefs of the region’s ancient inhabitants.
The mound is now in the process of having its documentation compiled for submission to UNESCO, with a delegation from Tehran visiting Sardasht to consolidate findings and ensure the site’s historical integrity is preserved.
Officials hope that formal recognition will protect this heritage and attract cultural tourism.
Meanwhile, in the heart of Semnan Province, the Tari Khaneh Mosque of Damghan, dating to the 2nd century AH, is one of the world’s four early domed mosques. Its architecture merges Sasanian and Islamic styles, featuring a unique dome and minaret design.
The mosque has faced challenges related to its surrounding landscape and urban encroachments, including nearby structures and added floors that obscured its historic view.
Local authorities, in collaboration with Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization, have launched initiatives to remove obstacles, relocate adjacent buildings, and safeguard the mosque’s visual integrity, ensuring that it meets UNESCO’s criteria.
The mosque, long considered a cultural emblem of Damghan, represents both the city’s seven-thousand-year history and its ongoing role in shaping regional identity.
Both initiatives highlight Iran’s dual commitment to preserving ancient archaeological sites and Islamic architectural heritage. While Rabt Mound emphasizes centuries of pre-Islamic civilization, Tari Khaneh Mosque showcases the continuity of religious and cultural expression in early Islamic Iran.