TEHRAN - Archaeological excavations at the historic Palace of Ardeshir Babakan have officially resumed following a temporary suspension, according to provincial cultural heritage authorities.

Behzad Moridi, the director of Cultural Heritage Department of Fars province, announced during a recent visit to Firuzabad that the halt in excavation work has ended and operations will soon continue, IRNA reported on Saturday. 

The site, which is part of a UNESCO-recognized Sassanid heritage ensemble, had seen promising discoveries since excavations began earlier this year.

Moridi explained that the pause, which began after initial findings in February, was due to specific regional conditions. “Necessary planning has now been completed, and archaeological work will resume in the near future,” he said.

In addition to excavation activities, authorities are prioritizing restoration work at the palace. Moridi emphasized that preserving the structure is being pursued seriously as part of broader cultural and social responsibilities. Restoration projects are currently underway in sections of the palace, including its iconic iwans, arched halls that are a defining feature of Sassanid architecture.

The Palace of Ardeshir Babakan, built by Ardeshir Babakan in the 3rd century CE, is one of the most remarkable surviving examples of Sassanid design. Unlike many earlier Iranian structures that featured circular layouts, the palace was constructed on a square platform, a hallmark of evolving architectural trends during the Sassanid era. Measuring approximately 116 meters in length and 55 meters in width, the complex includes multiple corridors, grand halls, and three distinctive domes.

The palace once functioned as the administrative center of the early Sassanid state, with separate areas designated for official and residential use. A large audience hall adjacent to the main structure was used for meetings between the king and state officials.

Enhancing tourist access to ancient Gur

Officials are also focusing on improving access to the nearby ancient city of Gur, historically known as Gur and once a major political and cultural capital of the Sassanid Empire (224–651 CE).

Moridi stated that efforts are currently centered on facilitating visitor access to the historic site. Of the city’s four main entrances, the “Ardeshir Entrance” is undergoing upgrades, including leveling and graveling, to ease transportation and improve the overall visitor experience.

Firuzabad, located south of Shiraz, spans roughly 3,579 square kilometers and attracts thousands of visitors annually. The region is renowned for its rich collection of Sassanid-era landmarks, including Qal'eh Dokhtar, a mountaintop fortress, and the Minaret of Gur, a unique tower-like structure believed to have served both symbolic and practical purposes.

Another highlight is the Rock Relief of Ardeshir’s Victory, a monumental carving depicting Ardeshir Babakan’s triumph over Ardavan V. The relief is notable for its intricate detail and its rare focus on a non-religious historical event.

Cultural significance

Firuzabad holds a prominent place in Iranian history. Initially significant during the Achaemenid period, it rose to greater prominence under Ardeshir Babakan, who established it as a capital of the Sassanid Empire. Today, the region remains a major destination for enthusiasts of ancient art and architecture.

With the resumption of excavations and ongoing restoration efforts, officials hope to uncover further insights into the Sassanid era while enhancing the site’s accessibility and preservation for future generations.
The Sassanid epoch is of very high importance in the history of Iran. Under the Sassanids, Persian art and architecture experienced a general renaissance. Architecture often took grandiose proportions, such as some palaces located in Ctesiphon, Firuzabad, and Sarvestan, which are amongst the highlights of the ensemble.

Crafts such as metalwork and gem engraving grew highly sophisticated, yet scholarship was encouraged by the state. In those years, works from both the East and West were translated into Pahlavi, the language of the Sassanians.

The Sassanid archaeological landscape also represents a highly efficient system of land use and strategic utilization of natural topography in the creation of the earliest cultural centers of the Sassanid civilization.

In 2018, UNESCO added an ensemble of Sassanian historical cities in southern Iran — titled “Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region”-- to its World Heritage list. The ensemble comprises eight archaeological sites situated in three geographical parts of Firuzabad, Bishapur, and Sarvestan. It reflects the optimized utilization of natural topography and bears witness to the influence of Achaemenid and Parthian cultural traditions and Roman art that later made a significant impact on the architecture and artistic styles of the Islamic era.
AM