Unveiling Achaemenid Logisticss: Investigating Methods of Construction Materials Transport at Persepolis

Document Type : Original

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Art and Architecture, TarbiatModares University

2 M.A. student, Architecture, TarbiatModares University

3 M.A.student, Architecture, TarbiatModares University

4 Associate Professor, Faculty of Art and Architecture, TarbiatModares University

Abstract

 
Vertical and horizontal transportation of building materials has always been a major challenge in historical construction. Architects and engineers of ancient civilizations developed simple yetpractical solutions for these challenges.While material transport has been addressed in the field of historical building technology, no definite conclusion has been reached regarding the equipment and methods for the entire process from extraction to execution. Among ancient civilizations, the Achaemenid Empire stands out as a remarkable example, with Persepolis representing its most significant and exquisite engineering and artistic achievement. Constructing monumental buildings during that era posed unique challenges which were addressed ingeniously and effectively, particularly regarding the vertical and horizontal transportation of heavy, large blocks of stone over long distances from quarries to construction sites. This research delves into the logistics strategies employed by the Achaemenids in the construction of Persepolis. The authors first examine the methods employed by pre-Achaemenidor contemporaneous civilizations, which,based on historical evidence, influenced the formation of Achaemenid architectural culture. Based on this analysis, the authors hypothesize about the methods employed by the Achaemenids. The hypotheses are evaluatedby analyzing ancient evidence, field research, and geographic data within the field of historical building technology. The research reveals that the Achaemenids employed a combination of simple machines and sledgesfor the ground transportation ofloads. Water was not a challenging obstacle for builders, as they used rafts or temporary bridges for the transportation of loads. In steep slopes, they likely modified the natural train or employed limited terraces. For vertical transportation, they most likely used a combination of compound pulleys and ropes in the form of early cranes

Keywords

References

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Journal of Iranian Architecture Studies
Volume 12, Issue 23
September 2023
Pages 69-94

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