A ‘Persian Conception of Urbanism’ as Seen from the Results of New Field Research in Fars (Southern Iran)

New geophysical and archaeological research in Fars, southern Iran, has unveiled a distinct 'Persian conception of urbanism' at UNESCO World Heritage Sites Pasargadae and Persepolis. Unlike the structured Babylonian model, this approach incorporates heterogeneous layouts with alternating built spaces and extensive green areas. At Pasargadae, findings suggest an inhabited settlement adjacent to monumental Achaemenid structures, while at Persepolis, excavations in sectors like Persepolis West and Firuzi have revealed pre-Darius I monumental buildings, including the Gate of Tol-e Ajori, with Babylonian influences. These discoveries challenge previous assumptions about urban planning in ancient Persia.

(Ed.). (2022). A ‘Persian Conception of Urbanism’ as Seen from the Results of New Field Research in Fars (Southern Iran). The Historical and Cultural Memory of the Babylonian World, 123–138. https://doi.org/10.1484/m.aratta-eb.5.127141