The Roof Structure of the Apadana Palace at Persepolis: A New Perspective on Achaemenid Construction Technologies

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Assistant Professor, Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Tarbiat Modares University

Abstract

The royal monuments of the Achaemenid Empire exemplify the deployment of advanced architectural technology in the ancient world. However, scholarly attention to the construction techniques of these structures has remained comparatively limited. This interdisciplinary study focuses on the roof-covering system of the Apadana Palace, critically examining the prevailing reconstructions that derive from the early twentieth-century hypotheses of the German architect Friedrich Krefter. To assess the validity of the dominant interpretation, the research adopts a mixed-methods approach within a historical framework, combining descriptive–analytical procedures with logical reasoning. The enquiry begins with a review of the literature, tracing two centuries of debate and theorization concerning the roofing systems of Achaemenid palaces. It proceeds by situating the Apadana within the broader evolution of columned halls in the ancient world, identifying both convergences and divergences between Achaemenid architecture and that of other civilisations. Structural, constructional, and archaeological evidence is then brought to bear in exposing the shortcomings of the dominant reconstruction model. Drawing on architectural analysis, ancient engineering principles, and field data, the study seeks to identify the technique employed by the Achaemenid master builder. Findings reveal that column capitals, beyond their decorative role, fulfilled a structural function: principal beams were seated within carved sockets in the capitals, representing one of humanity’s earliest attempts to restrict the free rotation of beam ends and to create optimised joints for stress transfer. Furthermore, by seating timber within the secure recess of stone and employing specialised joinery that does not compromise the integrity of the wood, the architect achieved a structural integration of the beams. In this arrangement, the principal beams linked the columns in continuous bands, while transverse beams completed the roof framework, contributing to the building’s seismic resilience. The results offer a new understanding of Achaemenid construction technology, revealing the ingenuity of the Persian architect in the realisation and execution of the most expansive, flat-roofed halls of the ancient world.

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References

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