Mount Behistun (Bisutun)

Quick Facts

• Type: Mountain ridge
• Range: Zagros Mountains
• Location: Kermanshah Province, Iran
• Notable site: Behistun inscription (c. 500 BCE)

Overview

Mount Behistun, also known as Bisutun, rises above the Kermanshah plain and is one of the most historically significant peaks in the Zagros. Its limestone cliffs host the Behistun inscription commissioned by Darius I in the 6th century BCE, a key source for ancient Persian history.

The mountain and its archaeological complex are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, blending natural landscape with monuments, bas-reliefs, and ancient road corridors.

Landscape and Culture

Bisutun’s dramatic cliffs overlook fertile plains and caravan routes that connected Mesopotamia with the Iranian plateau. The site remains a cultural landmark and a symbol of the region’s deep historical layers.

Notes

The Behistun inscription was crucial for deciphering cuneiform scripts.