Persepolis excavations

Question 1

224 AD Sasanians

Answer 1

• Sasanian people found the ruins of Persepolis and claimed it to be the work of their own ancestors.
• Site renamed to “Sad-Sotun” (Hundred Columns) and “Chehel Menar” (Forty Columns)

Question 2

1602 Antoine de Gouvea

Answer 2

• Antoine de Gouvea, a Portugese missionary, discovers the existence of cuneiform at Persepolis

Question 3

1704-05 Corenlius de Bruijn

Answer 3

• Cornelius de Bruijn made drawings of Persepolis.
• Drawings were published in 1711 and widely accepted as the most accurate representations of Persepolis until archaeological photography emerged in the 20th century → shaped public perceptions of the ancient Persian empire
• Started tradition of inscribing name on the Gate of All Nations by doing so himself

Question 4

1889 Lorenzo Giuntini

Answer 4

• Lorenzo Giuntini was commissioned to create cast mouldings of the bas reliefs and inscriptions
• Replication of bas reliefs and inscriptions allowed Western archaeologists to study them more closely

Question 5

1825-35 Henry Rawlinson

Answer 5

• Sir Henry Rawlinson transcribed the Behistun inscription and deciphered a portion
• Found that the text was written in Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian → understanding that Persian empire used trilingual inscriptions

Question 6

1931 Oriental Institute of Chicago

Answer 6

• Oriental Institute of Chicago, led by Ernst Herzfeld, conducted extensive resotrative work and excavations
• Discovered the Grand Staircase bas-reliefs of vassal people bearing tributes; Queen’s Quarters; trilingual Foundation Tablets of Darius I; layers of burnt cedar, ebony, and teak → revealed political and social norms, ancient Persian trade

Question 7

1934 Erich Schmidt

Answer 7

Erich Schmidt took over excavation. Found
- 7 foundation tablets from Xerxes’ reign
- Fortification and Treasury Tablets → Treasury tablets revealed origins of workers who built Persepolis + amounts they were paid, showing geographic extent of empire

Question 8

1941

Answer 8

• Iranian government renewed excavation and restoration of the site
• Topographical study, excavation of underground canal system, restoration of Apadana stairway + Central Palace and Treasury carried out → made site more coherent for study

194Iranian

Question 9

1973

Answer 9

Institute of Achaemenid Research at Persepolis established → directed + coordinated restoration, and published excavation records of monuments

Question 10

1979

Answer 10

Persepolis added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List → officially recognised as an Achaemenid dynastic city and a unique reflection of the art and culture of nations that existed during the empire’s reign + helped Persepolis gain public attention from mainstream media

Question 11

2002

Answer 11

Parsa-Pasargadae Research Foundation established → supported archaeological investigations including
- Geomagnetic survey of Marvdasht plateau
- Study of pottery on adjacent mountains
- Dredging of underground canals

→ Increases modern knowledge of ancient Persian civilisation

Question 12

2000

Answer 12

More than 400,000 tourists visit annually, building conservation issues
- Urban spread of nearby town threatens site
- Industrial pollution threatens survival of bas reliefs and structures