The first decree of Darius the Great in Persepolis is on the verge of serious destruction
The inscription of Darius I of the Achaemenid, known as the first decree of Darius the Great and the largest stone inscription of Persepolis, has suffered erosion and the loss of parts of the text due to climate changes and the lack of proper protective measures.
According to Siavash Arya, a researcher and cultural heritage activist, these damages are the result of unprofessional actions and the removal of protective covers in recent years, which have been exacerbated by weather conditions.
The Persepolis World Heritage Site has promised that the project for the protection and restoration of this valuable inscription will start this week.
This plan will be implemented in collaboration with archaeological restoration groups and the construction department of the site, and it includes reinforcement, installation of protective coverings, protection of the back of the inscription, and designing a public visiting path.
The inscription of Darius is the second most important Achaemenid inscription after Behistun, written in Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian, and is considered the only written document of the construction of the building of Parseh.
This historical artifact, in addition to its archaeological value, contains themes such as monotheism, the social structure of the Achaemenid period, and Darius’s prayers to Ahura Mazda.
Parseh, or Persepolis, or Takht-e Jamshid, was built in 518 BC by the order of Darius the Great.