Hundreds of engraved stones found in Persepolis

Iranica Desk - IRAN DAILY

chtn.ir

Hundreds of engraved stones were found in the waterway of the southern courtyard of Tachara Palace of Persepolis, situated in Marvdasht plain, southwestern province of Fars.

Announcing the above, Ali Asadi, head archeologist of the research team on the site, said that the discovery was made during the fifth phase of excavations, carried out in Tachara Palace to identify how the waterways were extended in its southern courtyard, chtn.ir reported.

The study shows that a sub-waterway was diverted from the east-west waterway of Tachara Palace’s courtyard, extending to the south and near the structure known as Palace H.

The engraved stones, which mostly belonged to the main staircase of Palace H, were found in this section. It seems that the stones were intentionally broken in the post-Achaemenid period and poured through the vertical vents that led to the floor of the courtyard.

Asadi noted that the stone pieces have floral and human motifs.

“At least one of the stones has cuneiform inscription and if the studies continue, more inscribed stones are likely to be found in the collection,” he explained.

The archeologist noted that more research is expected to be carried out on the valuable stones during the sixth phase of excavation because they were discovered in the last days of the fifth phase and some experts should be present on site to decipher the inscriptions.

One of the oldest and most interesting palaces of Persepolis is the charming structure built south of the Apadana Palace. In the inscriptions carved on its pillars, this palace is alternatively called Tachara and Hadish.

The former name has gained wide acceptance. Because of the glossy surface of its polished black stone, the palace was formerly called the Hall of Mirrors.

Expanded over a north-south axis, the Tachara Palace was built on a rectangular plan, measuring 40m by 30m. It consists of a main hall with 12 columns, two smaller columned halls on the north, a columned portico on the south, and several guard rooms or storage chambers on either side.

The palace, overlooking the courtyard, bordered by a wall on the west and two staircases on the south and east. The southern staircase leads to Palace H.