Naqsh-e Rustam archaeological site, Persepolis, Iran
Naqsh-e Rustam archaeological site, Persepolis, Iran (© mshirani/Shutterstock)
Naqsh-e Rustam, Iran
Naqsh-e Rustam (also referred to as Rostam) is an ancient necropolis carved into the mountains of southwestern Iran, offering an insight into one of the earliest civilizations to flourish in ancient Persia. The tombs of four Achaemenid kings (you can see three of them here) are marked by rock reliefs carved high above the ground into the cliff face. This site and the area around it are of huge significance to the history of Iran and its people. They’re also an example of the role archaeology plays in understanding our past.
© mshirani/Shutterstock