In a bid to scrutinize the 2,500-year-old city of Parse, the Achaemenids’ capital, Iranian archaeologists are going to conduct geophysical surveys on a 400-hectare patch of the historical site.

Dating from the Achaemenid dynasty (559-330 BC), Parse consists of a thorough set of structures and relics, including Persepolis, palaces, fences and utility services. It is believed the city was built on the orders of Darius the Great in 518 BC. Parse in general and Persepolis in particular have been extensively excavated over the last century, though there are many unexplored areas in the site.

“Geophysical surveys will begin in a month in order to draw up a complete map of the city,” said Mohammad-Hassan Talebian, head of Pasargadae and Parse project, indicating the new series of studies would be carried out by Iranian experts alone.