The head of Iranian Heritage and Tourism Studies announced on Wednesday February 13 that lichen growing on the Tomb of Cyrus the Great is causing increasing damage to the historical site.

The Mehr News Agency reports that Parisa Mohammadi said the burgeoning the burgeoning threat of the lichen was brought on by cement repairs carried out on the tomb, which are now causing the rocks to rapidly deteriorate.

The Tomb of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achamenid Dynasty, underwent extensive restoration efforts in the last decade. The 2,500-year-old tomb, also referred to as Pasargad, is located in Fars Province in Central Iran.

According to Mohammadi, the restoration of the tomb has unfortunately not undergone adequate follow-ups, which is now resulting in the rapid deterioration of the ancient rocks.

Source: Radio Zamaneh