Return to Naqsh-e Rostam: Archaeological Excavations to Investigate Water Management in an Achaemenid Site

Abstrakt

The Achaemenid royal necropolis, along with a structure known as the Kaʿba-ye Zartosht is located at the site of Naqsh-e Rostam, approximately 7 kilometers northwest of Persepolis. This large archaeological complex contains 23 historical features, including royal tombs, the Kaʿba-ye Zartosht , rock reliefs, and inscriptions. From a spatial and geographical perspective, the two major Achaemenid sites of Naqsh-e Rostam and Persepolis were closely interconnected during the Achaemenid period. Naqsh-e Rostam was actively managed during this era, and the Achaemenids, aware of the faults and water-related challenges such as floods, deliberately selected this area for constructing the Kaʿba-ye Zartosht and their royal tombs. They established a system for channeling, managing, and controlling seasonal waters. After the unfinished excavations conducted by the University of Chicago, this significant archaeological site was left unattended. In recent years, due to rainfall, numerous sinkholes, cracks, and cavities have emerged throughout the area. To address the water crisis at Naqsh-e Rostam, the archaeologist has aimed to identify, excavate, and restore the water management and drainage systems from the Achaemenid period. Through these archaeological excavations, a portion of the Achaemenid water management system has been identified, and strategies for the preservation of the site have been proposed.