# Behistun

> tools for mapping internal geological and geophysical conditions

**Wikidata**: [Q106101976](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106101976)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/behistun

## Summary
Behistun is a free software package developed by Christopher Dimech for mapping internal geological and geophysical conditions. It was part of the GNU Project from 2017 until its decommissioning in 2024.

## Key Facts
- Created by Maltese mathematician and programmer Christopher Dimech in 2017
- Used for seismic tomography and mapping internal geological and geophysical conditions
- Official name changed from "gbehistun" to "behistun" in December 2020
- Part of the GNU Project from 2017 to 2024
- Maintained by Christopher Dimech throughout its active period
- Decommissioned by GNU Maintainers Coordinators in August 2024
- Hosted on GNU Savannah with project ID "behistun"
- Had a dedicated mailing list at lists.gnu.org/archive/html/behistun

## FAQs
### Q: What was Behistun used for?
A: Behistun was software for mapping internal geological and geophysical conditions, specifically used for seismic tomography applications.

### Q: Who created Behistun?
A: Behistun was created by Christopher Dimech, a Maltese mathematician and programmer, who maintained it from its inception in 2017 until its decommissioning in 2024.

### Q: Why was Behistun decommissioned?
A: The GNU Maintainers Coordinators decided to decommission Behistun and remove it from all GNU package lists in August 2024, though specific reasons for the decommissioning are not provided in the source material.

## Why It Matters
Behistun represented an important contribution to the field of geological and geophysical mapping software within the free software ecosystem. As a GNU package, it provided researchers and professionals with open-source tools for seismic tomography, enabling the study of Earth's internal structures without proprietary software constraints. The project demonstrated the GNU Project's commitment to supporting specialized scientific software and showcased how free software principles could be applied to complex geophysical applications. Christopher Dimech's work on Behistun exemplified the intersection of mathematics, programming, and earth sciences, providing a valuable tool for the scientific community during its active period from 2017 to 2024.

## Notable For
- One of the few GNU packages specifically focused on geological and geophysical applications
- Maintained by a single developer (Christopher Dimech) for its entire active lifespan
- Successfully transitioned from "gbehistun" to "behistun" as its official name in 2020
- Represented the GNU Project's expansion into specialized scientific software domains
- Provided free software alternatives for seismic tomography applications

## Body
### Development and History
Behistun was initiated in 2017 by Christopher Dimech as a new GNU package focused on geological and geophysical mapping. The software was officially announced in the Free Software Supporter newsletter in March 2017, marking its inclusion in the GNU Project ecosystem. Throughout its development, Dimech served as the sole maintainer, demonstrating long-term commitment to the project's evolution and maintenance.

### Technical Applications
The primary application of Behistun was seismic tomography, a technique used to map internal geological structures by analyzing seismic wave propagation. This made it particularly valuable for earth sciences research, allowing for the visualization and analysis of subsurface geological features without requiring proprietary software solutions.

### Project Lifecycle
Behistun operated as a GNU package for approximately seven years, from 2017 to 2024. During this period, it underwent a significant naming change in December 2020, when the official name was simplified from "gbehistun" to "behistun." The project maintained an active presence through its GNU Savannah hosting and dedicated mailing list, facilitating community engagement and development discussions.

### Decommissioning
In August 2024, the GNU Maintainers Coordinators made the decision to decommission Behistun and remove it from all GNU package listings. This decision marked the end of the project's official association with the GNU Project, though the software's legacy in the free software geological mapping community remains significant.

## References

1. [Free Software Supporter - Issue 107, March 2017. 2017](https://www.fsf.org/free-software-supporter/2017/march)
2. [Please remove the Behistun entry. 2024](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/directory-discuss/2024-08/msg00000.html)
3. [Source](https://www.fsf.org/free-software-supporter/2017/march)
4. [GNU Behistun Proposal. 2019](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/summer-of-code/2019-01/msg00007.html)
5. [Source](https://wikitia.com/wiki/Christopher_Dimech)
6. [The Official Gnu Package Behistun - Renamed behistun (previously gbehistun). 2020](https://savannah.gnu.org/forum/forum.php?forum_id=9882)
7. [Source](https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/behistun)