DEMAWEND ´99

Research project P 13659 Damavand `99 Robert KOSTKA 11.10.1999 Damavand, an extingt vulcano, surrounded by a big number of craters, is situated about 80 km northeast of Teheran. The highest peak of the Elburz mountains is one of the sacred mountains in the world and in reference to important events with the old Iranic religion and the source of many mythes. Also cultural landscape at the height limit is formed by this fact. The native buildings of this region are of importance and studied not yet sufficiently. The cultural landscape is changing permanently, comparisons with other regions in the arid areas of Central Asia allow conclusions on larger areas or global development. Focussing these problems, the following detailed studies are intended. Damavand as a sacred mountain is put in the center of the projected research work. Studies on rock carvings, research on historical routes and the documentation of cultural objects shall demonstrate its importance as a spiritual, religious center. Studies on settlements and landuse at the height limit should, similar to architecture and its changes, illustrate the activities of man in this high mountain area. Methodical it should be demonstrated exemplary that the cooperation of arts and natural sciences is able to receive extensive results also in remote high mountain areas. Remote sensing from space in connection with digital methods are an important tool in this connection. As an example only the planned map sheets Damavand 1:50 000 is mentioned, prepared as a combined image-line map (CIL-map). The sketch of research problems in high mountain areas with strong reference to human activities and in connection with the method of remote sensing from space is not only continuing of the cultural and scientific contacts between Austria and Iran but is representing an extension and an intensivation of these relations, going back to the year 1754 already.

Damavand, an extinct volcano, is situated about 80 km northeast of Tehran, Iran. The highest peak of the Alborz mountains is one of the sacred mountains in the world and in reference to important events with the old Iranic religion. Also cultural landscape at the height limit is formed by this fact. Natural settings and cultural landscape are changing permanently. Comparisons with other regions in the arid areas of Central Asia allow conclusions on larger areas or global developments. Focussing these problems, the following detailed studies were executed and published in the book "Damavand, der höchste Berg Irans": - The names of Mt. Damavand - Geology of Alborz/Damanvand - Vulcanism, changes of water level of Caspian Sea, earthquakes - Geography of Alborz - Climate in the surroundings of Mt. Damavand/Alborz - Vegetation at Damavand - Surveying and Mapping - History of explorations - Aspects of religious history - Settlement and buildings - Nomads at Damavand - Cultural relicts at Damavand and in the Haraz valley - Mountain hazards and shelters - Mountain tourism (ecotourism) Methodical it was demonstrated exemplary, that the cooperation of arts and natural sciences is able to receive extensive results also in remote high mountain areas. Remote sensing from space in connection with digital methods is an important tool in this context. The result of this process is the map sheet Mt. Damavand, as an example of a Combined Image-Line map (CIL-map) at a scale of 1:50 000.