As we drove towards Bisotun, now on the UNESCO World Heritage list, the whole surrounding landscape looked dry, with a few specks of green and rocky. It was particularly hot by the time we reached the site.
The Belash relief, dating back to the Parthian era and more precisely from the 1st to the 3rd century, was the first quadrilateral rock with carved figures on their sides we approached. The middle figure representing the Parthian King Belash holding a bowl on his left hand, while stretching his right hand to a fire altar and pouring something on it was clearly visible, though figures on the other sides weren't as perceptible. On the left side a figure is seen moving towards the first figure and the one to the right depicts another figure carrying something on the left hand. Since the name on the inscription is said to simply mention Belash and there were five Parthian Kings with this name it is only possible to identify the fact that they were carved during the 1st through to the 3rd centuries CE.
We then moved towards part of the rock mountain where a small hollow space which only made it possible to enter a few metres has been acknowledged as a Paleolith cave, believed to have probably been used by hunters and where remains of Neanderthals are said to have been discovered.
The view from this point was really stunning particularly because the presence of the lake gave it a more "refreshing" aspect.
Going down and turning slightly to the left we could make out a 147 cm statue of Heracles leaning on the rocks. Confirmed to have been carved for Hyakin in 148BCE Heracles is depicted fully naked with curly hair and beard, resting on a lion skin and holding a bowl on his left hand. The carving stood out, particularly because of the smoothness displayed in regards to the rugged rock where it leans on.
(To be continued)
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