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What did the fortress and palace at Hasanlu reveal about early Iranian architecture?

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ziggurat — Iranian art and architecture Ziggurat at Choghā Zanbīl near Susa, Iran.

The fortress and palace at Hasanlu, likely the capital of the Mannaeans, provide significant insights into early Iranian architecture from the 10th to 9th centuries BCE.12

The site featured a high, powerfully walled citadel that served as a defensive stronghold. Within this fortification, archaeologists uncovered an enormous palace or temple complex. This structure was characterized by two-story buildings arranged around a partially roofed courtyard, a design that reflects the sophisticated planning of the period.12

While the architectural significance of these ruins is substantial, public and scholarly interest has often been eclipsed by the exquisite artifacts recovered from the site's burnt debris, such as the famous solid gold bowl and silver vessels. These findings demonstrate that Hasanlu was a center of both architectural development and artistic production, maintaining cultural connections with neighboring regions like Assyria, Urartu, and the broader Middle East.12