ruins of columns in the persepolis in shiraz, iran. the ceremonial capital of the achaemenid empire. unesco world heritage

achaemenid alexander antique archaeological archaeology archeology architecture basrelief building capital ceremonial civilization columns construction cultural culture darius delubrum dynasty east empire excavations fars heritage historical history iran iranian jamshid king landmark limestone middle monument monumental museum palace persepolis persia persian pole poles province ruins shiraz sightseeing structure tachara temple unesco world xerxes zaroastrians