Takht-e Soleyman
Takht-e Soleyman and Zendan-e Soleyman, also known, respectively, as Solomon's Throne and Solomon's Prison, are parts of an archaeological landscape in northern Iran, near the modern city of Takab.
The beautiful Takht-e Soleyman, located about 2200 metres above sea level, was excavated in 1958 by a Swedish-German-Persian expedition, led by Hans Henning von der Osten, Bertil Almgren from Uppsala University and Rudolf Naumann, Director of the German Archaeological Institute in Istanbul.
Between 1958 and 1960, Zendan-e Soleyman was the focus of Uppsala archaeologists, who dated the sanctuary and settlement to around 800-600 BC. From 1959, the Swedish archaeologists also contributed to excavations at nearby Takht-e Soleyman, where a Sasanian fire temple from ca. 450-625 AD and an Ilkhanid summer palace were documented.
The wealth of finds from Takht- and Zendan-e Soleyman clearly illustrates the ancient importance of this area: from countless pottery shards, cult and everyday objects to well-preserved metalwork and unparalleled glazed bricks from the palace. A large proportion of these finds are preserved today in the Berlin State Museums and in Gustavianum.
Ceramic finds from Takht-e Soleyman.
Takht-e Soleyman, North Gate.
Hans Henning von der Osten (right) and Rudolf Naumann (left) at Takht-e Soleyman in 1959.
Glazed bricks from the palace at Takht-e Soleyman.
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