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Mizan Dam or Band-e-Mizan, (Persian: بند میزان) is a historic dam from the Sassanid era and a part of Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, located in the island city Shushtar, Khuzestan Province, Iran. Mizan Dam was registered on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 2009 and is Iran's 10th cultural heritage site to be registered on the United Nations' list together with the 12 other historical bridges, dams, canals, and buildings as Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System.[2][3][4][5][6][1]
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Shushtar County, Khuzestan Province, Iran |
| Criteria | Cultural: (i), (ii), (v) |
| Reference | 1315 |
| Inscription | 2009 (33rd Session) |
| Area | 240.4 ha (594 acres) |
| Buffer zone | 1,572.2 ha (3,885 acres) |
| Coordinates | 32°3′1″N 48°51′6″E / 32.05028°N 48.85167°E[1] |
  Location of Mizan Dam in Iran | |
History
editAs in its present form, it dates from the 3rd century CE, probably on older bases from the 5th century BC. The dam was built by Roman soldiers and engineers who were taken into captivity along with Valerian (emperor) (reign 253–260 CE) after his defeat by Shapur I (241-272 CE).[2][3][4]
Function
editMizan Dam is located upstream of a manmade canal called Gargar which was dug in order to divert water from the Karun River. The dam regulates water for Gargar (a tributary stream branched from Karun) and this way, Mizan is considered a regulatory dam [2][3]
Material
editThe elemental materials of this site are stone, Saruj mortar and sandstone in foundation that all of them have maintained their authenticity, and there aren't any interventions. But there are differences in some part of site due to different restoration periods.[2]
Threats
editDue to the location and nature of Mizan Dam, this dam is sometimes submerged. Severe flooding has occurred during previous decades which affected the dam.[2]
Sources
edit- ^ a b SHUSHTAR HISTORICAL HYDRAULIC SYSTEM, World heritage nomination document,2008
- ^ a b c d e Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System". UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
- ^ a b c "River flood swamps Sassanid-era dam in southwest Iran". Tehran Times. November 23, 2020.
- ^ a b "Shushtar Hydraulic System: The Oldest Engineering Masterpiece in World - Tourism news". Tasnim News Agency.
- ^ "Water and water supply technologies in ancient Iran". Evolution of Water Supply Throughout the Millennia (PDF). IWA Publishing. 14 April 2012. pp. 92–126. ISBN 9781843395409.
- ^ https://whc.unesco.org/document/152341 [bare URL PDF]