Merv, an archaeological case-study from the northeastern frontier of the Sasanian Empire

Archaeological evidence from Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the northeastern frontier of the Sasanian Empire, reveals how the empire effectively managed its resources across regions. By analyzing the oasis, city, and urban economy of Merv, researchers demonstrate that cross-regional comparisons with other Sasanian territories—such as Gorgan and Mesopotamia—shed new light on state-level resource management strategies. The study leverages recent archaeological findings to challenge or refine existing narratives about the empire's administrative and economic organization.

Simpson, S. J. (2014). Merv, an archaeological case-study from the northeastern frontier of the Sasanian Empire. Journal of Ancient History, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.1515/jah-2014-0033