Die altpersischen Keil-inschriften von Persepolis

A pivotal breakthrough in the decipherment of ancient cuneiform scripts, particularly Old Persian, was achieved through the collaborative efforts of Christian Lassen and Julius Oppert. Their work, rooted in comparative linguistics, revealed the phonological structure of Old Persian by analyzing inscriptions from Persepolis. Lassen's 1836 publication, which appeared alongside Eugène Burnouf's independent findings, employed a methodical comparison of cuneiform symbols with Avestan and Sanskrit equivalents. This groundwork was later refined by Oppert in 1847, incorporating insights from Henry Rawlinson's Behistun inscription. The study not only advanced the understanding of Old Persian but also showcased the meticulous process of linguistic reconstruction, including the design of a specialized cuneiform font for clarity.

Lassen, C., & Oppert, J. (2014). Die altpersischen Keil-inschriften von Persepolis. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9781316034880