Naqsh-e Rostam, meaning “Picture of Rostam” is named after mythical Iranian hero which is most celebrated in Shahnameh and Persian mythology. Back in time, natives of the region had erroneously supposed that the carvings below the tombs represent depictions of the mythical hero.

One of the wonders of the ancient world, Naqsh-e Rostam embraces four tombs are where Persian Achaemenid kings are laid to rest, believed to be those of Darius II, Artaxerxes I, Darius I and Xerxes I (from left to right facing the cliff), although some historians are still debating this.

There are gorgeous bas-relief carvings above the tomb chambers that are similar to those at Persepolis, with the kings standing on thrones supported by figures representing the subject nations below. There also two similar graves situated on the premises of Persepolis probably belong to Artaxerxes II and Artaxerxes III.

Beneath the funerary chambers are dotted with seven Sᴀssanian era (224–651) bas-reliefs cut into the cliff depict vivid scenes of imperial conquests and royal ceremonies; signboards below each relief give a detailed description in English.

At the foot of Naqsh-e Rostam, in the direction of the cliff face, stands a square building known as Ka’beh-ye Zardusht, meaning Kaaba of Zoroaster. The building, which is roughly 12 meters high and 7 meters square, probably was constructed in the first half of the 6th century BC, although it bears variety of inscriptions from later periods.

Though the Ka’beh-ye Zardusht is of great linguistic interest, its original purpose is not clear. It may have been a tomb for Achaemenian royalty or some sort of altar, perhaps to the goddess Anahiti, also called Anahita believed to be ᴀssociate with royalty, war, and fertility.

Getting ready for being World Heritage

The process of preparing Naqsh-e Rostam to get a UNESCO World Heritage tag has entered a new stage with conducting several restoration projects by the means of setting mᴀssive scaffolding and laser scanning, a cultural heritage official says.

A bas-relief carving at Naqsh-e Rostam depicts the triumph of Shapur I over the Roman emperors Valerian and Philip the Arab.

The site is aimed to be incorporated into the profile of the adjacent Persepolis, itself a World Heritage site, IRNA quoted Masoud Rezaei-Monfared as saying on Monday.
“Laser scanning will provide clear-cut details of the site in order to support exact restoration, the official added.