TEHRAN – The majestic tomb of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire (c. 550 -330 BC) in southern Iran, will undergo restoration in the near future.

“Cleaning and preliminary studies to strengthen and restore the exterior walls of Cyrus the Great’s Tomb is nearing completion, with a restoration phase set to commence within the next two weeks,” the director of the Pasargadae World Heritage site announced on Saturday.

Mohammad Nasiri-Haqiqat highlighted the environmental and biological factors contributing to the deterioration of the exterior walls of the majestic tomb, referring to the impact of the environment on the massive stone monument. 

“Factors such as climatic conditions, the activity of lichens and plants, material loss, weather conditions including frost, moisture, and rainfall, as well as cavities resulting from the activity of cyanobacteria, which promote the growth of lichens, have all led to damage on the site.”

Nasiri-Haqiqat stated that specialists are currently assessing the various types of damage affecting the site.

“Maps have been prepared to determine the extent of damage and to provide solutions and required materials for each of the issues identified. A final summary will be prepared within the next two weeks to enter the implementation phase, which will involve cleaning and strengthening the site.”

Proud and alone on the Morghab Plain, the Tomb of Cyrus is the first of the monuments encountered on entering the site of Pasargadae. The tomb consists of a modest rectangular burial chamber perched on six-tiered plinths. Its unique architecture is a totem of conquest, combining elements of all the major civilizations captured by Cyrus.

During the Achaemenid period, the tomb was surrounded by gardens and kept secure, but this was no deterrent to the armies of Alexander the Great who plundered the site – an act that greatly distressed the Macedonian conquers.

In addition, Nasiri-Haqiqat noted that tasks in the initial phase will include removing dirt and vegetation from crevices, physically removing lichens, strengthening and bonding loose stone fragments with water-based acrylic adhesives, and filling spaces prone to moisture penetration with lime-based materials.

The official said the completion of this project is estimated to take two years with an approximate budget of 100 billion rials (some $170,000).

“The first phase will primarily focus on sensitive areas of the tomb prone to erosion and is expected to take three to four months.” He also mentioned that since lime-based materials and acrylic adhesives are readily available for the initial phase, there is no need for imports….

Highlighting the history of restoration efforts on Cyrus the Great’s Tomb, Nasiri-Haqiqat noted that the tomb has previously undergone four restoration projects, the first of which was executed between 1929 and 1936.

Established in the 6th century BC within the heartland of the Persians, today known as the province of Fars in southwestern Iran, Pasargadae emerged as the earliest capital of the Achaemenid Empire.

The first modern depiction of the tomb, published by James Justinian Morier in 1811, entitled the “Tomb of Madre Suleiman”

Its archaeological remnants, including palatial structures and meticulously arranged gardens, along with the mausoleum of Cyrus, exemplify the inaugural phase of Achaemenid art and architecture and serve as a remarkable testament to the Achaemenid civilization in Persia. The royal ensemble, known as the “Four Gardens,” conceived in Pasargadae, laid the groundwork for subsequent Western Asian architectural and design endeavors.

Covering an expansive 160 hectares, the archaeological expanse of Pasargadae showcases some of the earliest expressions of Persian art and architecture. Within its boundaries lie notable landmarks such as the compact limestone tomb situated on the Morgab plain, once housing the gilded sarcophagus of Cyrus the Great; Tall-e Takht, colloquially known as “Solomon’s Throne,” a formidable fortified platform atop a hill that later evolved into a sprawling citadel fortified with substantial mud-brick defenses; and the royal ensemble, comprising several palatial structures originally nestled within a meticulously planned garden layout known as the “Four Gardens.” Pasargadae’s innovative design, featuring formal divisions by waterways or pathways, laid the groundwork for the Persian Garden concept characterized by refined detailing and elegant verticality.

Pasargadae stands as an extraordinary testament to the grandeur of the Achaemenid civilization. Spanning from the eastern Mediterranean and Egypt to the Hindus River in India, the vast Achaemenid Empire epitomized a pioneering approach to respecting the cultural diversity of its subjects. This ethos found expression in the empire’s architectural endeavors, which synthesized influences from various cultures. Pasargadae embodies the nascent phase of this architectural evolution into a distinctly Persian style, later reaching its zenith in the UNESCO-listed city of Persepolis.

AM