Archaeologists working at a newly discovered site in eastern Turkey have unearthed the administrative wing of an Achaemenid Persian Satrapy headquarters. The excavation yielded a cache of over 200 bullae—clay or wax seal impressions—which were used to secure official correspondence across the empire. These seals feature intricate depictions of the Great King, Zoroastrian deities, and provincial governors, providing a visual map of the Persian bureaucracy.
The building itself was constructed using polygonal masonry and featured a central hall with column bases similar to those found at Persepolis. The presence of these seals in a remote frontier region indicates a high level of centralized control and a vibrant exchange of diplomatic letters between Susa and the Anatolian provinces during the 5th century BCE.