A Non-destructive Excavation in Parse-Pasargad Archaeological Region

There has been growing concern regarding the proposed Sivand Dam. Its placement in the Parse- Pasargad region, between both the ruins of Persepolis and Pasargad, has worried many archealogists that the dam will flood these UNESCO World Heritage sites. Currently the construction of the dam is postponed until the international teams of archeologists announce that their excavations in the area are finished. The aim of this study is to increase the knowlegde about this valuable archeological region, focusing on two case studies, Persepolis and Pasargad. To prevent environmental destruction caused by archeological excavations, a non-intrusive investigation combining complementary technologies has been carried out. A multilayer analysis of the collected data in geology, hydrology, and hydrogeology, along with aerial photographs, remotely sensed air photos, and satellite imagery provided useful information for preparing environmental and historic layers. The use of GIS and image processing technique allowed a highly effective integration of all data, leading to more rigorous correlation of the different results. The results of this study are indicative of three main

(1) identification of buried archaeological features in this region, focusing on the two plains of Farvardin and Marghab, the seat of Achaemenian governors, where the Persepolis and Pasargad established (2) a wall and watchtowers surrounding Persepolis, (3) and a natural lakelet in the Pasargad site.