Restoration work at Persepolis resumes after Nowruz holidays
Restoration activities at Persepolis have resumed following the Nowruz holidays, with key projects focused on the southern inscription of Darius’ wall, the northern Apadana Palace, and the tomb of Artaxerxes III.
According to Shahram Rahbar, head of the conservation and restoration team at Persepolis World Heritage Site, the workshops had been semi-active from March 15 to April 4 due to the influx of visitors during the holiday season. However, restoration efforts are now back on track, IRNA reported.
Rahbar said, “During the Nowruz holidays, experts focused on preparing for the influx of visitors, while several restoration workshops were temporarily paused. From April 5, work has resumed on the southern inscription of Darius, the B2 column base in the northern Apadana Palace, and the tomb of Artaxerxes III.”
The southern inscription of the Darius wall, in particular, has presented significant challenges. “The preservation and restoration of this inscription have been complex, with several proposals reviewed by the technical council,” Rahbar explained.
He noted that the complexity arose from various factors, including the condition of the southern wall and the inscription itself, making this restoration project unique. Differences in opinion among the conservation, archaeology, and engineering teams led to the formation of a joint task force to coordinate efforts.
Rahbar assured that collaboration among the teams is now fruitful, with emergency preservation work currently underway on the upper section of the southern inscription. The restoration is expected to be completed by the end of spring.
The southern inscription of Darius at Persepolis, carved in three languages—Old Persian, Babylonian, and Elamite—on a single stone column, remains one of the most significant historical artifacts from the Achaemenid period. “This inscription, along with the Bisotun inscription in Kermanshah, is undoubtedly one of the most important relics of Darius the Great,” Rahbar concluded.
The inscription not only celebrates Darius’ divine power but also includes a unique prayer that calls for protection from enemies, drought, and falsehoods, highlighting its exceptional historical value.