Uninterrupted Human Settlement in Hamedan: A Journey from the Achaemenid Era to Today

Exciting archaeological discoveries are unfolding at the Baba Taher pedestrian pathway in Hamedan, revealing a rich tapestry of continuous human settlement dating back to the Achaemenid period (circa 550–330 BC) to the present day. These findings highlight the significance of historical exploration in understanding the cultural heritage of this ancient region.

Local experts confirmed that the excavation, initiated in May of last year as part of municipal infrastructure improvements, was aimed at establishing the country’s first open-air museum along Baba Taher Street. However, progress has been hampered by unfavorable weather conditions and misuse of the site as a waste disposal area.

According to Hossein Shabani, the lead archaeologist on the project, “We focused initially on stratigraphic analysis of this part of Hamedan, followed by archaeological excavation to support the transformation of the pedestrian way into a site museum.”

During the excavation, the team uncovered remarkable architectural remnants from the Islamic Middle Ages, particularly from the Seljuk and Timurid periods (11th to 15th centuries). Key findings include:

• A residential building equipped with a water supply system that utilized a small canal, continuing its use until the Qajar era (1789–1925).
• Multiple rooms with specific functions and kitchen hearths, illustrating a comprehensive example of Islamic architectural styles in Hamedan across several centuries.

Shabani emphasized, “The archaeological structures include multiple rooms with distinct uses and kitchen hearths inside. This provides a comprehensive example of Islamic architectural styles in Hamedan spanning several centuries.” The excavation also revealed artifacts from the Ilkhanid period (13th-14th centuries), featuring a building constructed from river stones and slabs.

Shabani added, “The excavations confirmed a continuous sequence of human habitation here from the Achaemenid era through Islamic periods to modern times.”

Historically known as Ecbatana, Hamedan was once the capital of the ancient Median Empire and served as a summer residence for Achaemenid kings who ruled Persia from 553 to 330 BC. Ancient Greek historians, including Xenophon and Polybius, depicted the city’s palace complex as lavishly decorated with cedar and cypress wood, adorned with gold and silver.

Despite its historical significance, much of Ecbatana’s ancient architecture remains hidden, as extensive archaeological excavations have altered the city center. Early excavations commenced in the early 20th century, led by French and German-American archaeologists.

The team is dedicated to completing the open-air museum project by the end of summer 2025, contingent on the preservation of the site. The legacy of Ecbatana is further enriched by its historical context, as it is believed to have been founded around 678 BC by Deioces, the first king of the Medes.

The first excavation in the region was conducted by French Assyriologist Charles Fossey in 1913 at Tepe Hegmateneh, lasting six months. Subsequently, Erich Friedrich Schmidt, a German-American archaeologist, captured aerial photographs of Hamedan between 1935 and 1937.

According to the Greek historian Xenophon, Ecbatana became the summer residence of the Achaemenid kings. Polybius, another renowned historian, described the city as more beautiful and affluent than other cities worldwide. He noted that, although Ecbatana lacked walls, the palace was constructed on an artificial terrace, which added to its grandeur.

Moreover, an inscription discovered in 2000 indicates that Achaemenid king Artaxerxes II Mnemon (404-358) built a terrace with columns in Ecbatana. Notably, around twelve kilometers southwest of Hamedan lies Ganjnameh, where Darius I and his son Xerxes had inscriptions carved into the rock.

Polybius, recognized for his historical accounts, mentioned that the builders employed cedar and cypress wood, which were then plated with silver and gold. He elaborated that the palace was stripped of its precious metals during the invasion of Macedonian king Alexander the Great, with further looting occurring during the reigns of Antigonus and Seleucus. Following these events, Ecbatana served as a capital for both the Seleucid and Parthian Empires, sometimes referred to as Epiphaneia.

Hamedan faced destruction during the Mongol invasions around 1220 and suffered extensive damage in 1386 when Timur (Tamerlane), a notorious Turkic conqueror, sacked the city, leading to a massacre of its inhabitants. The city was partially restored in the 17th century and has frequently changed hands among various Iranian ruling houses and the Ottomans.

The ongoing excavations and the establishment of an open-air museum are expected to not only preserve Hamedan’s rich history but also educate future generations about its cultural significance.

Related topic: Hamedan archaeological discoveries