Tiny Lichens Are Eating Away At Persepolis, Threatening The Most Well-Known Ancient Site In Iran Built During The 6th Century B.C.

There are over 3,000 species of lichen in Iran, with 500 to 700 varieties making ancient monuments their home.

Some of the species at Persepolis were more than 1,700 years old. Many of the intricate carvings at Persepolis have already been lost to the lichen.

Other sites in Iran, such as the Bisotun inscription in Kermanshah province, have been affected by lichen as well.

Bisotun is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features a colossal engraving of the conquests of King Darius I. Due to lichen growth, it has degraded significantly.

Currently, Rahbar and his team are working hard to fight the lichen at Persepolis. They are using lasers and antibiotic-like substances to destroy the lichen, a painstaking process that demands great care and precision.

An official called attention to the lack of funds for preserving Iran’s ancient sites, causing public concern to grow.

Ali Darabi, Iran’s deputy culture minister, announced that the yearly budget for restoring each monument was only 130 million rials, which equates to $220. It would require $84 million per year to maintain all the historical monuments.