Iran’s cultural heritage extends far beyond historic buildings and archaeological sites, encompassing a wide range of agricultural heritage, cultural landscapes, historic routes, industrial heritage, and other tangible and intangible forms of heritage. Agricultural heritage is the outcome of centuries of interaction between people and nature, rooted in indigenous knowledge and encompassing diverse elements such as historic farms and settlements, qanats and irrigation systems, gardens, mills, oil presses, dovecotes, estate mansions, and other structures associated with production and livelihoods. Although deeply rooted in the past, this heritage remains living and future-oriented, and its conservation and continuity require a scientific and interdisciplinary approach.

In response to the need to advance research in this field and benefit from the capacities of universities, the thematic research base “Iranian Agricultural Heritage” was established through a partnership between the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts and Iran University of Science and Technology. Drawing on the university’s academic capacities and with the Cultural Heritage Studies Laboratory serving as its scientific arm, the base undertakes activities including identification and documentation, preparation of national and World Heritage nomination dossiers, development of specialized databases and documentary archives, technical and implementation studies, as well as education and capacity building. The principal aim of this collaboration is to establish a sustainable framework for the understanding, conservation, rehabilitation, and continuity of Iran’s agricultural heritage, while strengthening connections among universities, heritage institutions, and local communities.