Younes Yousefvand; Farshad Miri; mousa sabzi
Abstract
The Monument of Qala-Kohzad was built on the heights of Weyzenhar/Veyzenyar Mountain in the southwest of Roumeshgan Plain (west of Lorestan). The archeological excavation of the site ...
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The Monument of Qala-Kohzad was built on the heights of Weyzenhar/Veyzenyar Mountain in the southwest of Roumeshgan Plain (west of Lorestan). The archeological excavation of the site in the late 1960s revealed a series of architectural units made of stone rubble and plaster mortar measuring 17x38 square meters. These spaces consist of two domed Chartaqes with a cruciform plan, a quadrangular hall with corridors on its northern and southern sides, and some other facilities. The use of features such as decorative columns, stucco with a rose pattern, some interventions in architectural elements and bronze sculptures (from of unknown origin), led the excavator to put Qala-Kohzad in the category of “Parthian Mithraeums". However, the structural characteristics and the arrangement of architectural spaces, along with other evidence obtained from the building (ceramics), do not confirm this issue. In the current research, by combining the information obtained from the field survey and library sources, we will tried to shed a clear light on the functional nature and building construction date of the building. Findings show that, the Monument of Qala-Kohzad is not much related to Parthian Mithraeumes or Anahita Temple. Have not been found any remains of architecture or symbols and signs to prove the worship of the god Mithra or the god lady Anahita in Qala-Kohzad. The technical characteristics of the building, such as curved arches, and conical philiposhes for erecting domes, along with the typology of the ceramics indicate that this building belongs to the Sassanid period.
