The oldest relief at Naqsh-e Rostam dates back to c. 1000 BC.
Though it is severely damaged, it depicts a faint image of a man with unusual head-gear, and is thought to be Elamite in origin.
The depiction is part of a larger mural, most of which was removed at the command of Bahram II.
The man with the unusual cap gives the site its name, Naqsh-e Rostam ("Rustam Relief" or "Relief of Rustam"), because the relief was locally believed to be a depiction of the mythical hero Rustam.
The oldest relief at Naqsh-e Rostam dates back to c. 1000 BC. Though it is severely damaged, it depicts a faint image of a man with unusual head-gear, and is thought to be Elamite in origin. The depiction is part of a larger mural, most of which was removed at the command of Bahram II. The man with the unusual cap gives the site its name, Naqsh-e Rostam ("Rustam Relief" or "Relief of Rustam"), because the relief was locally believed to be a depiction of the mythical hero Rustam.
Naqsh-e Rostam