TEHRAN – A new phase of archaeological excavations has begun in the core protected zone of Persepolis in southern Iran to determine the exact boundaries of historic remains, the site director said on Saturday.

Mohammad-Javad Jafari, head of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Persepolis, said the excavations started in early September to identify the extent of monuments and to support preservation and management plans.

“The first-degree protected zone of Persepolis covers more than 6,000 hectares, where nearly 110 archaeological sites have been identified, of which 70 are registered on the national heritage list,” Jafari explained.

He said the sites include prehistoric mounds, caves, rock shelters, cemeteries and mines dating from prehistory to later historical periods.

Three excavation projects are underway: Tal-e Robahi led by Fazlollah Habibi, Chah-e Jangal led by Ahmadali Asadi, and Tal-e Gavdari led by Abuzar Tavakol. They are funded by the Persepolis World Heritage Base with permits from Iran’s Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Jafari said.

“These excavations are essential for defining the exact boundaries of the monuments so that both preservation and tourism development plans can be implemented with minimal damage to cultural heritage,” he added.

Jafari noted that other important archaeological areas, including Bakun A and B, Tal-e Shogha, and Tal-e Jari located in the secondary and tertiary protection zones of Persepolis, would also be prioritized for future boundary studies.

He called for sustained funding, saying annual and long-term budgets are needed to safeguard the archaeological resources of Persepolis and its surrounding zones.

Earlier this month, Jafari announced that a comprehensive management and conservation plan for Persepolis was developing amid growing concerns from experts about erosion of its ancient stone reliefs. “We recognize the concerns about erosion of the stone reliefs at Persepolis as a serious national issue,” Jafari said. “That is why the master plan, which had been drafted earlier, is now being revised and finalized to serve as a comprehensive framework for management and conservation.”

According to Jafari, about 57 hectares of land around Persepolis have been purchased partly for tourism infrastructure, access management, and service upgrades. He said the measures were intended to prevent unregulated development and ensure long-term protection of the site and its buffer zone.

Jafari said international cooperation in conservation had begun years earlier with Italian teams, but Iranian experts had since taken over, using localized materials and new technologies to continue restoration and preservation efforts.

According to Jafari, recent preservation projects include the expansion of the Persepolis Museum, with a new 400-square-metre gallery due to open this autumn, and active workshops at the tomb of Xerxes, the eastern portico of the Apadana Palace, and the Tripylon or Council Hall. Work will soon start at the Hadish Palace, the Hundred-Column Hall and the southern terrace inscription. “Moss removal is also underway on the northern portico of the Apadana.”

“Protecting Persepolis is both a national and global responsibility,” Jafari said. “We aim to address concerns and move forward with a scientific, coordinated, and sustainable approach, while paving the way for the return of international experts and joint research projects.”

Persepolis, also known as Takht-e Jamshid, was founded by Darius the Great around 518 BC as the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire. The vast terrace and palatial complex, located 60 km northeast of Shiraz, was destroyed by Alexander the Great in 330 BC. Its ruins, including the Apadana Palace and the Hundred-Column Hall, are regarded as one of the world’s foremost archaeological sites.

AM