Ancient Achaemenid Drainage System: Preserving Persepolis from Water Accumulation

Recent heavy rainfall in Fars province has caused significant damage to historical houses in Shiraz, the provincial capital located just 70 kilometers south of the ancient site of Persepolis. This remarkable archaeological treasure, once a ceremonial capital of the Persian Achaemenid Empire (c. 550 – 330 BC), has shown resilience during these harsh weather conditions, thanks to its ancient water management system. According to ILNA, the Achaemenid water channels efficiently managed the rainwater, preventing severe flooding.

Videos shared on social media depicted water cascading from the staircases of Persepolis, raising alarms about potential flooding akin to previous years. However, it has been confirmed that the ancient underground channels, designed over 2,500 years ago, successfully directed substantial amounts of rainwater away from the site, as reported.

Water Management at Persepolis

• During the recent heavy rains, approximately 100 millimeters of rainwater was effectively drained from the Achaemenid palaces.
• Alireza Askari Chaverdi, the director of the Persepolis World Heritage Site, emphasized the importance of crisis management in preserving the site.
• A specialized task force was established to implement a crisis management plan during the recent storm.

The archaeologist stated that various teams collaborated seamlessly, including restoration experts, technical personnel, and the Persepolis security unit, to navigate the challenges presented by the rainfall. Over two days, these professionals worked diligently to direct rainwater away from the site.

“Preventive conservation measures were conducted a week before the rainfall, covering the entire 12-hectare complex and the 7-hectare Rahmat Mountain fortifications,” the archaeologist elaborated. “Additionally, the 2-kilometer-long underground water channels of Persepolis were thoroughly cleaned in preparation for the expected rain.”

Throughout the downpour, the crisis management team was on-site, monitoring various sections and ensuring that water was efficiently channeled through the ancient drains out of Persepolis.

Preparedness for Rainfall

Shahram Rahbar, head of the Persepolis restoration team, discussed the site’s expansive area of 125,000 square meters. He noted that when considering the southern residential district and the tombs of Artaxerxes II and III, the total area exceeds 250,000 square meters.

“Managing rainfall threats is a major challenge, and our technical team is dedicated to protecting Persepolis’ invaluable structures,” Rahbar remarked. In anticipation of the storm, conservation and restoration teams, along with civil and maintenance crews, were poised to handle potential flooding and safeguard ongoing restoration projects.

Despite three days of anticipated rainfall, coordinated efforts ensured that visitor paths remained accessible and that restoration projects were shielded from damage. Close collaboration between security personnel and conservation experts facilitated overnight monitoring of vulnerable areas, with ongoing communication to mitigate flooding risks.

Rahbar expressed that, despite the fatigue from continuous work in harsh conditions, the team’s coordinated efforts ensured effective water management. By Friday, when rainfall intensified, field teams systematically observed the site and implemented emergency measures to protect the monuments.

“Our key achievement was preventing damage to stone artifacts and active restoration sites,” Rahbar added. “Thanks to collaboration among conservation, maintenance, and security teams, the storm did not significantly impact visitor accessibility or preservation activities.”

Historical Significance of the Achaemenid Drains

The drainage system of Persepolis was first unearthed during excavations by the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute. However, these channels remained obscured until the 2000s, when archaeologists gradually uncovered and cleaned them. This restoration effort culminated in a significant breakthrough in the 2010s, allowing for the complete drainage of surface water through the ancient system.

The Achaemenid rulers designed these channels to manage rainwater flow from the palaces to areas outside Persepolis. Over time, the channels became clogged with soil, leading to recurrent flooding that threatened the site. Fortunately, extensive archaeological work restored their functionality, permanently solving flooding issues since the 2010s.

Exploring Persepolis

Also known as Takht-e Jamshid, Persepolis stands out as one of the world’s most remarkable archaeological sites, showcasing unparalleled architecture, urban planning, and artistic achievements.

The site features impressive approaches, monumental stairways, and grand reception rooms, solidifying its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Construction of the monumental terrace began around 518 BC under Darius the Great, the king of the Achaemenid Empire. Successive rulers built magnificent palatial structures on this terrace, including the grand Apadana palace and the iconic Throne Hall, also known as the “Hundred-Column Hall.”

The terrace itself is a stunning architectural creation, featuring a double flight of access stairs, sculpted friezes, monumental gateways, and colossal sculpted winged bulls. Ingenious engineering allowed Achaemenid architects to utilize slender columns to support expansive roofs, topped with elaborate capitals.

Historical narratives suggest that Persepolis was set ablaze by Alexander the Great in 330 BC, purportedly as an act of revenge against the Persians, as the Persian King Xerxes had earlier burned the Greek city of Athens.