Archeoloog bij Naqsh-e Rustam, Iran before 1885

This photographic print of Naqsh-e Rustam in Iran, was made by Jane Dieulafoy. It is a historical photograph depicting an archeological site, and its materiality and production speak to a pivotal moment in the history of documentation. The process of photography itself was still relatively new at the time this image was made. It allowed for a level of detail and objectivity previously unattainable, influencing archeological study. Photographs like these were instrumental in shaping Western understanding and perception of ancient cultures. Consider the labor involved, from the physical demands of archeological work to the chemical processes of developing the print. The photograph serves not just as a record, but as a physical manifestation of the intersection between art, science, and cultural exploration. It challenges us to see beyond the image itself, to consider the social, political, and historical forces at play in its creation.