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

Abstract The Sasanian period (224–651 CE) marked an era of large‐scale urban projects in southwest Asia, including Iran's semi‐arid highlands, with particular efforts to manipulate water bodies. This study presents a recent interdisciplinary investigation spring‐fed pond at the entrance Palace Ardashir (Firuzabad plain, Iran), part recently registered World Heritage site. Historical accounts suggest that entire system pond, underwent hydraulic re‐organization beginning period, fact has never been investigated geoarchaeologically. A series sediment cores were retrieved from probe its evolution and examine extent landscape modification. sedimentologically described radiocarbon‐dated age–depth models established based on 57 AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) 14 C dates understand basin's depositional history. results indicate (i) Pond existed as larger wetland complex since least 4500 years ago, (ii) it was substantially enlarged era, (iii) abandoned end period. is one first geoarchaeologically case studies demonstrate framework “Iranshahr” sociopolitical concept.