the main part of the excavations took place in the royal sector, in the east of the city. a water temple, interpreted as an anahita temple , was erected near the palace. in the center there is a cross-shaped space with eight large square exedrae decorated with 64 alcoves. the french excavators believed it had been covered with a dome roof, but this reconstruction has been rejected. to the west lies a courtyard decorated with mosaics; to the east, a square iwan used as a reception room. its walls must have been covered with small stucco ornaments: rows of medallions, bands of foliage, and topped with merlons inherited from achaemenid architecture. all these decorative techniques were still used after the islamic conquest of persia.