Taq-e Bostan
Iran

Taq-e Bostan

Sassanid rock reliefs in Zagros Mountains

Location

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Historical Context

About

Taq-e Bostan is an archaeological site featuring a series of Sassanid rock reliefs situated in the Zagros Mountains, near Kermanshah, Iran. These reliefs, dating back to the 4th century CE, are exemplary of Persian Sassanid art and depict significant historical events such as the investitures of Ardashir II and Shapur III. Positioned along a historic Silk Road route, the site includes sacred springs that enhance its cultural significance. The rock reliefs are complemented by later additions, including a 19th-century Qajar-era carving. The site serves as a testament to the artistic, cultural, and historical richness of the Sassanid Empire, highlighting themes of power, religious fervor, and royal grandeur.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Visual Archive

Gallery

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FileAncient_Sasanid_Cataphract_Uther_Oxford_2003_06_21.jpg
FileCapital_of_Khusrau_II.jpg
FileCapital_of_a_Sasanian_column_in_Taq-e_Bostan_complex_geomet.jpg
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Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Investiture of Ardashir II

379 CE to 383 CE

Shapur II and Shapur III

383 CE to 388 CE

Iwan of Khusrow II

590 CE to 628 CE

Dowlatshah Relief

1800s CE

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Artistic and Decorative Features

ReliefsInscriptions
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Rock SheltersSacred Springs
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

Iran

Coordinates

34.39° N, 47.13° E