Persepolis (Iran)

Archaeological sites are an important part of a society since they help in identifying the different aspects and traits from a recent past. The more diverse and wide that a site has been researched the more popular and beneficial that the site is to the people. It is important to note that there are many archeological sites that are spread all over the world that are influential in changing the lives of the people that are within these areas. There is a need, therefore, to ensure that the collect information and data is gathered for a specific site in order to ensure that the people can benefit from these sites. Persepolis is an archeological site in Iran and has been one of the most researched and visited places in the world. The area is located northeast of Shiraz and is known as the city of the Persians that is the literal meaning of the word Persepolis. It has palaces and tombs that are as old as 515BCE and one of the richest places in the world in terms of history especially evidence if the Persians and Alexander the Great. This makes the city popular and very essential in learning traditional history and methods that were characteristic of the people in this society. It is important, therefore, to learn the different aspects of the archeological site in order to understand the importance and benefits that the region derives from being host to one of the oldest cities in the world.  This paper looks at the different aspects of the Persepolis and aims to identify the unique aspects that make the city one of the most popular parts in the world.

Persepolis is a word that was derived from the Greek and the city was originally referred as Parsa by the Persians. The name Persepolis was therefore used to refer to the city as the city of the Persians and there is archaeological evidence that shows that the city was constructed around 515BCE. According to the archaeological evidence that was collected in the 1930s the archeologist believed that the city was originally chosen to be located at the point that it is today by Cyrus the great but was built by Darius 1. The constructions of the different palaces at the terrace were continued by Darius son and the construction continued until the downfall of Achaemenid dynasty(Errington, 170). There was also a construction of the treasury and the different parts that also included the tombs for Persian Kings. The construction of the city was inspired by the buildings and architectural designs as were evident in Mesopotamia. It is, therefore, rich and very detailed in terms of the different designs used and also the different aspects of the Kings can be clearly seen from the designs. Notably, there was continued construction of the structures along the terrace until the downfall period of the dynasty of Achaemenid.

Persepolis Geographical Location and Characteristics.

Persepolis is geographically located near Pulvar river, a small water stream which flows into the main stream of river Kur. Subsequently the site is surrounded by a 125,000 metric square terrace, which is partially cut from the surrounding mountain ranges including the Mountain of Mercury natively known as Kuh-e Rahmet. The other remainder was as a result of the artificial construction by the settlers. Apart from the mountain side, the other three square sites are majorly consistent of the retaining walls that are variable in terms of their height due to the steep gradient of the ground with which the walls are set. It is approximated that there is up to 13 meters of double stairs on the west side. Eventually, the terraces were constructed through the ancient technology of filling the depressions with soil and heavy rocks, then metal clips were used to join them together.

The site historical documents further reveal that the initial stages of the construction of one of the broad stairways at the time began in the year 519 BC. Further, the initial plan was that the stairway would serve as the main entrance point to the 15 ft above the ground terrace. In addition, the famous dual stairway was also built on the Great Wall's western side. Initial research stages proposed that the stairway was originally constructed specifically to enable nobilities to comfortably ascend by horses. However, there is an emergence of contradicting new theories suggesting that shallowness and gradual rise of the stairway steps were in order to allow the dignitaries visiting the city to maintain appearance regality during ascent. Ironically, the peak of the stairways was designed to lead to a remarkably small yard located at the northeastern terrace side, facing the Gate of Nations.

As a main building material, grey limestone were utilized in most of the construction activities undertaken in the Persepolis. The terrace was eventually prepared after leveling of natural rocks and the subsequent filling in of the depressions to ensure an evenly leveled land surface(Mousavi, 16).

The Site Archaeological Research

During the year 1320, history has it that Odoric of Pordenone made a voyage through Persepolis on his way to China. Again in 1474, another explorer Barbaro Giosafat made a maiden visit to the then ruins of Persepolis. Unfortunately, the explorer had an assumption that the ruins belonged to the ancient Jewish city. Two centuries later, in the year1602, historical documents reveal that Antonio de Gouivea, a Portuguese noted the earliest known information regarding the cuneiform inscriptions in his initial written document published in the late 1660s. the report was referred to as the Jornada. Eventually, more amateur site excavations occurred for approximately two centuries, peaking during the 1900s. However, there were cases in which the site digging went large scale during this period.

Scientifically, the first archaeological research in the Persepolis was implemented by two archaeologists from University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute. These archaeologists were Ernst Herzfeld and Erich Schmidt; who conducted large scale excavations for a period of eight years in 1930s. the outcome of the excavations made Herzfeld conclude that Persepolis was mainly constructed for three reasons. First, a majestic empire was a trend during the time, thus there was a need for such. Secondly, for a powerful empire, there was a need for a symbol; Persepolis served this purpose. Lastly, Persepolis served as an avenue for a celebration of special events like ‘Nowrus' which was conducted on an annual basis. Of keen to note is that Persepolis was constructed at the site that the ancient Achaemenid Dynasty was conceived. This is despite the fact that the site was not the capital for the ancient empire.

Use of wooden columns is a definitive feature for the Perse polytan empire architectural designs. Most of the wooden columns are from the cedar trees obtained from Lebanon. Another commonly used tree species was the teak trees obtained mainly from India. However, it is observed that during later years, most of the architects resorted to using of stone designs as the main large tree species used for making the large columns gradually got depleted. In turn, there was an urgent necessity of embracing stone as a main raw material for making columns of the buildings.

The structures of the Persepolis can be classified into three categories: the treasury, military buildings and the buildings that were mainly used as the reception halls and kings residences. Examples of the major structures that acted as landmarks for Persepolis include the famed palace of Apadana, The gate of Nations also known famously as Xerxes the Great, The Roya Stable and the Great Stairways. Other structures include the Palace of Artaxerxes the Third, Tachara Palace of Darious and The Hall of Hundred Columns (Baker, 194).

The Significance of Persepolis

Persipolis Historical site is mainly listed as a world heritage centre due to its ancient history and the level of excellence in the architectural designs in comparison to the design at the time. The site represents the ancient civilization that was ahead of its time. In fact, the quality of the structures and the monumental well designed stairways and the Apadana—local name for throne rooms—are seen as having no equivalent in the modern times.  Additionally, some of the current designs have their roots in the designs that were undertaken at the site.

Additionally, the site was added in the world heritage list so that in the authorities can be made aware of the need to conserve the endangered site from human encroachment that can lead to the destruction and loss of the valuable ruins of the ancient civilization (Britt, 4). Notably, the tourism attraction to has tremendously risen in the recent past; which is attributable to the listing of the site as a world heritage site. In turn, the government of Iran has utilized the part of the revenue from the tourism sector to rehabilitate the site and to create a public awareness on the need to conserve the historic site. So far, the effort has yielded fruits though more needs to be done. This requires total commitment and collaboration between the government and the residents.

The location in which Persepolis is located has a regional strategic importance. Long before Persepolis empire was set up at the site, there were other dynasties that had settled in the location. Additionally, the Greek empire later established its influence on the site, though this led to a significant destruction of the structures in the site.

The site is important both to the Iranian government and the local population. To the government, revenue from tourist activities and archeological excavation provide funding that can be used in executing other government activities such as the peacekeeping missions leading to regional stability. Additionally, the site is a national symbol that brings a sense of belonging in the country. The advances achieved during the ancient dynasty serves as a constant reminder to the residents that unity, hard work and dedication yields to success that can span for generations.

Essentially, the tourist activities in Persepolis provide job opportunities to the locals, leading to the improvement of their living standards. The job opportunities include tour guides, translators. Additionally, business opportunities have sprung up in the area which includes hotels and guest houses. This has boosted the economic activity in the area and helped open up the site to the outside world. As a result, the foreign investors have been attracted to the site (Chakraborty, 306).

Persepolis is attributed to the conservation of the culture of the Arabic population. The endurance of the ancient culture is conserved as most of the Iranian residents are the descendants of those that lived during the powerful dynasty in the Persepolis. Most of the recent architecturally designed structures in the area are highly influenced by the Persepolis ruins. This has enabled the residents to have a sense of belonging, hence the conservation of the ancient powerful culture. Recreational activities have significantly improved around the site as a result of the history of Persepolis. This has further attracted the tourists from overseas and locally.

Other importance of Persepolis includes the creation of knowledge on the broader environment. A careful study done by the archaeologists on the site highly contributes to the overall understanding of the environmental changes that has occurred over the years, especially the changes caused by the human activities. Therefore, the knowledge obtained is useful especially in informing the environmental managers in making and execution of concrete decisions for reversal of the trend. An instance where human activities negatively impacted on the environmental activities includes the use of the large tree species such as the Indian teak to design wooden columns. This eventually led to the depletion of such tree species, as they take hundreds of years to grow to the size required for making such wooden columns.

Conclusion

Persepolis is an ancient city representing an ancient dynasty that once dominated the Middle East. Considering this, a strong and influential culture boomed during the time. This, in turn, heavily influenced the quality architectural designs whose ruins have been able to survive for centuries. This survival in itself proves the stability and the level of technology applied during the structure design process. However, in the recent past the site has experienced the effect of human encroachment threatening its survival. Given the importance of the site as a cultural and heritage site, there is need to conserve it so as to ensure that the locals and the government continues to benefit from the tourist activities that takes place in the site. Further, there is a need of awareness creation to the local population on the need of mutuality of conservation with the government. Notably the lengthy years of the political instability witnessed in the greater Middle East region has negatively affected the tourism activities in the region. Ultimately, the Iranian government is unable to fully exploit the possible benefits that can be obtained from the site.

Work Cited Page

Baker, Patricia L, Hilary Smith, and Maria Oleynik. Iran: The Bradt Travel Guide. , 2014. Print: 192-195

Britt, Tilia A. Studies and Restorations at Persepolis and Other Sites of Fārs. Rome: IsMEO, 1992. Print: 1-6

Chakraborty, Ahana, and B K. Chakravarti. Global Tourism. New Delhi: A.P.H. Pub. Corp, 2007. Print: 304-350

Errington, Elizabeth, Vesta S. Curtis, and Joe Cribb. From Persepolis to the Punjab: Exploring Ancient Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. London: British Museum Press, 2007. Print: 164-176

Mousavi, Ali. Persepolis: Discovery and Afterlife of a World Wonder. Boston: De Gruyter, 2012. Internet resource: 1-54