TEHRAN -- Director General of the Archaeology and Museums Department of the Oman Heritage and Culture Ministry Hassan Al Lawati met with Iranian officials on… calling for Iranian experts’ help in saving and renovating Oman’s historical monuments.

Al Lawati held talks with director of the Archaeological Research Center of Iran (ARCI) Mohammad-Hassan Fazeli and called for a boost in bilateral activities, the Persian service of CHN reported on Friday.
In the meeting, Fazeli presented a short report of the recent activities of the center including the preparation of an archaeological map of Iran, the designation of the limits of the historical monuments, the conducting of several joint international projects and holding national and international seminars.
“Currently, seventy archaeologists organized in three specialized teams of the pre-historic, historic, and Islamic periods work at the center and carry out archaeological projects throughout the country,” Fazeli added.
He further explained that the center has carried out some 20 short-term and long-term joint projects with Germany, the United States, France, Japan, Korea, and Britain and has so far published 20 books on various archaeological subjects.
Fazeli said that resuming excavations at the archeological site of Qalhat in Oman would mark the opening of a new chapter in the history of Iran-Oman archaeological cooperation.
“The process of excavating and renovating the bathhouse and other monuments of the region, and the establishment of the archaeology museum would require five years of work,” he stated.
Al Lawati also expressed satisfaction over cooperating with Iran and called for Iranian experts’ help to save and renovate Omani historical monuments – mostly near the sea – which are currently in danger.
He also met with the director of Preservation and Renovation Research Center Abdorrasul Vatandust. Al Lawati also paid a visit to various sections of the center including the laboratory, library, and the documentation center.