“Unfortunately, the rock heritage of Naqesh-e Rostam (which embraces four majestic tombs of Persian Achaemenid kings including Xerxes the Great) -- in its open natural environment -- has been eroded ...

Cracks, contraction and expansion, the internal pressure of rocks and plant growth have damaged most of the bas-relief carvings of the tomb, of which 13 have been restored, he added. He also noted ...