Persia, now Iran, has been one of the oldest civilization and empires in the world. It has conquered, destroyed and built many palaces. One of the palaces they have built was made from cypress wood or is called 'Fire' temples.
A new study has found out that the ancient people of Persia might have used cypress wood in building their palaces. It was a ruin from the Sasanian Empire that was examined, Live Science stated. The Sasanian Empire has lasted from A.D. 224 to 651. The cypress wood was taken from the Palace of Ardashir I. It was Ardashir I, who established the Sasanian Empire.
The scientists also looked at wood from the castle known as Qal'a-ye Dokhtar. The said palace was built in the beginning of Sasanian Empire. Another one was the Palace of Sarvistan (also spelled Sarvestan), scientists have gotten cypress wood from it. This palace was either built during the end of Sasanian Empire of the beginning or the Islam takeover in Persia. All of these palaces are located at Persis, what is now the province of Fars in southwestern Iran, where the Sasanians first rose to power.
Scientists are saying that the Romans might have suggested the use of cypress wood. Cypress wood is famous during the ancient period. It is used to build walls, doors, stairs, ships and villas. The fact that captured Roman soldiers helped build many infrastructures in Persia might indicate that the observation is correct. However, the date of the cypress wood was still from the Zoroastrianism, one of the oldest religions in the world.
Cypress wood is considered holy for Zoroastrians. Zoroastrianism became rampant during the rule of Ardashir 1, Ancient History Encyclopedia stated. It was said to be linked to the Empire's organization and became of enormously important to the government. The founder, Zoroaster or Zarathustra, has planted a cypress tree in front of a fire temple in Kashmar.
Additionally, cypress tree might have been planted in different places in Persia during that time, scientists who discovered cypress wood concluded. They think that there is a huge cultivation of the tree in the country.
