Early Sasanian landscape modification: New geoarchaeological evidence from the Ardashir Pond in southwest Iran (Palace of Ardashir, third century CE)

New geoarchaeological evidence reveals that the Ardashir Pond, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, underwent significant enlargement at the beginning of the Sasanian period (third century CE). Sediment cores and radiocarbon dating indicate the pond's existence as a wetland complex since at least 4500 years ago, with substantial modifications during the Sasanian era. The study also shows that the pond was abandoned by the end of this period, providing one of the first detailed geoarchaeological investigations into Sasanian landscape manipulation in southwest Iran.

Djamali, M., Rashidian, E., Askari‐Chaverdi, A., Aubert, C., Brisset, E., Demory, F., Faucherre, N., Gandouin, E., Lahijani, H., Marriner, N., Naderi‐Beni, A., & Parnell, A. (2021). Early Sasanian landscape modification: New geoarchaeological evidence from the Ardashir Pond in southwest Iran (Palace of Ardashir, third century CE). Geoarchaeology, 36(6), 925–942. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.21880