Open Research will be unavailable from 3am to 7am on Thursday 4th December 2025 AEDT due to scheduled maintenance.
 

Naqsh-i-Rustam: The Ka'ba Zardusht (The Cube of Zoroaster), 6th-5th century BC

Date

Authors

Ghirshman, Roman
Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

Description

The "fire temple" which stands in front of the tomb of Darius surrounded by a high wall. Built of dressed limestone blocks with three rows of "blind windows", recessed, in black stone. The entrance, level with the second tier of windows, gives access to a single room (17 feet 5 inches x 12 feet 3 inches). The roof, which has not survived, had four sloping sides like a tent. Similar to a similar tower at Pasargadae, its use is conjectural. Wikander believed it to have been a temple of Anahita, others saw it as a tomb, and Henning as a building erected for housing church archives. Ghirshman plumps for it being a fire sanctuary where the "eternal fire" was guarded day and night. -- 36' x 23'.

Citation

Source

Type

Archives Series

Date created

1962

Access Statement

License Rights

This image is provided for research purposes only and must not be reproduced without the prior permission of the Archives Program, Australian National University.

DOI

Restricted until

Downloads