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.CAIS NEWS© ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL NEWS OF THE IRANIAN WORLD |
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10 km Long Ancient Wall Discovered near Pasargadae
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12 March 2007 |
LONDON,
(CAIS) -- Archaeological
excavations by a team of Iranian and Japanese archaeologists in Bolaghi Valley
in the vicinity of ancient Pasargadae world heritage site resulted in unearthing
a number of stonework walls and a 10-kilometer bulwark, dating back to
Achaemenid dynastic era (550-330 BCE).
Discovery
of these walls, which had long remained unknown, shed light on the high security
measures implemented during the Achaemenid dynastic period to protect palaces
against possible attacks.
“In
an attempt to find the paths connecting Bolaghi Valley to Pasargadae, the
archaeology team launched excavations in the area which led into discovery of a
number of stonework walls, the longest one of which was found to be 10
kilometres,” said Mohsen Zeidi, head of Iran-Japan excavation team in Bolaghi
Valley. Zeidi believes that discovery of this 10-kilometer-long wall shows that
the palaces of Pasargadae were closely protected.
Most
parts of the discovered wall have been destroyed over time and only its
foundation has remained, showing that it was stretched to the foothill. Similar
stonework walls had previously been discovered in Bolaghi Valley indicating that
the newly discovered walls must have dated back to the Achaemenid dynastic era.
Regarding
some other archaeological achievements in the region, Zeidi said: “A large
number of pre-historic to historic residential settlements as well as some 200
stonework graves most probably belonging to the Parthian dynastic era (248
BCE-224 CE) have also been discovered in the suburban areas of Pasargadae
historical site. Discovery of these graves indicates that most possibly the
stones used in constructing walls during Achaemenid period were later used for
constructing graves during post-Achaemenid period.”
According
to Zeidi, irrigation channels and guard houses are among other discoveries in
northern Pasargadae during this season of excavations.
Director
of Iran-Japan archaeology team in Bolaghi Valley further pointed to unearthing a
3-kilometer passageway in the region. “This pathway is located amid
agricultural lands and most parts of it have been destroyed. It was constructed
during the Achaemenid dynastic era by creating a 1 to1.5 meters embankment with
stone and soil,” added Zeidi.
The
new discoveries in Bolaghi Valley have encouraged Parse-Pasargadae Research
Centre to continue excavations in the region until completion of the work. All
the new discoveries have been documented and pinpointed on the satellite map and
aerial pictures prepared from the area. Based on initial negotiations, UNESCO
has agreed to expand the district of Pasargadae world heritage site in its list
and add some surrounding areas as annexes to the already registered historic
site of Pasargadae.
Pasargadae
was the first dynastic capital of the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus the
Great in the 6th century BCE. Its palaces, gardens, and the tomb of
Cyrus the Great are outstanding examples of the first phase of royal Achaemenid
art and architecture and exceptional testimonies of the rich Iranian
civilization.
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"History is the Light on the Path to Future" |
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Encyclopaedia Iranica
The British Institute of Persian Studies "Persepolis Reconstructed"
The British Museum
The Royal Asiatic Society
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