Journal of Archaeological Studies

The Eastern Iran Prehistoric Archaeological Project: The Second Season of Archaeological Excavation at Kale Kub, Southern Khorasan Province (2019)

Mohamad Hossein Azizi Kharanaghi; Masashi Abe

Volume 14, Issue 2 , September 2022, , Pages 133-152

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2022.341819.143109

Abstract

After more than one hundred years from the beginning of archaeological studies in Iran, the eastern regions of the country have received scarce or no attention from archaeologists, ... Read More

Introduction and Analysis of the Architecture of the Tomb of Sultan Ibrahim Reza in Darmian City and Reading the Relics of its Historical Writings

Ali asqar Mahmoodinasab; Seyyed rasool Mousavi Haji; abed taghavi

Volume 13, Issue 4 , September 2022, , Pages 189-213

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2021.280274.142706

Abstract

The study of Islamic Period buildings in Iran proves the presence of countless religious and non-religious tombs that are scattered in most parts of this border and region. As one of ... Read More

A Study of the Architectural Remains of the Sasanian Site of Tol-e Qaleh Seyfabad -Kazerun: A Suggestion about the Function

Yaghoub Mohammadifar; reza Nourozai

Volume 14, Issue 1 , June 2022, , Pages 83-105

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2022.336364.143078

Abstract

The archaeological site of Tol-e Qaleh Seyfabad, with an area of approximately 160 hectares, is one of the important sites of the Sasanian period, which was formed about 500m west of ... Read More The archaeological site of Tol-e Qaleh Seyfabad, with an area of approximately 160 hectares, is one of the important sites of the Sasanian period, which was formed about 500m west of Parishan Lake, in the southwest of Kazerun city, on the natural hill so-called Tol-e Pahan. Due to the building of the Kazerun-Shiraz gas pipeline between 1984 and 1986, the middle part of this site was severely destroyed. Archaeological excavation, as well as ground surveys, show that the exposed building/fort in Tol-e Qaleh Seyfabad has a quadrangular structure, each side of which is probably between 75 and 80 m long, and there were probably four towers in its four corners. The low thickness of the external wall, the type, and quality of construction materials used in it, as well as the dimensions of the interior spaces/units, may indicate that the building was not very high. The spaces adjacent to the northwestern principal wall are generally small and are used for storing and processing agricultural products.In the four corners of the Nakhlak fort located in the intermediate region of Naein and Anarak, the towers are similar to Tol-e Qaleh Seyfabad’s tower, although it has a different plan. In addition, other defensive buildings such as Fulayj fort in Oman, Gorgan Wall fortifications, and Abu Sharifa fort in Mesopotamia are among the defensive structures that are similar to the Tol-e Qaleh Seyfabad building in terms of plans and towers. Archaeological excavation, as well as ground surveys, show that the exposed building/fort in Tol-e Qaleh Seyfabad has a quadrangular structure, each side of which is probably between 75 and 80 m long, and there were probably four towers in its four corners. The low thickness of the external wall, the type, and quality of construction materials used in it, as well as the dimensions of the interior spaces/units, may indicate that the building was not very high. The spaces adjacent to the northwestern principal wall are generally small and are used for storing and processing agricultural products.

Evolution of Architectural Structure of Towers of Silence from Sasanid to Late Islamic Period

Seyed Mehdi Mousavinia

Volume 14, Issue 1 , June 2022, , Pages 131-153

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2021.320017.142996

Abstract

Archaeological data and textual sources provide information on Zoroastrian burial customs in Iran that could read and investigate in their context. One of these burial customs is burying ... Read More Archaeological data and textual sources provide information on Zoroastrian burial customs in Iran that could read and investigate in their context. One of these burial customs is burying the body into the towers of silence. This ritual practice canonized in Zoroastrian religious texts such as Vidēvdāt and documented in historical sources and archaeological findings. Beside Central Asia one what comparable to the first generation of towers of silence this funeral practice reported from Sasanid to the Late Islamic period. Although all of these burial structures mentioned as the towers of silence (Dakhma), there are plenty of architectural structures, from the beginning to the Late Islamic period; from the platforms of xwaršēd nigerišn to roofed towers of silence; from rooms of ossuary to central well (sarāda) of towers of silence. This paper has tried to thanks to archaeological findings and historical sources recommend some relative dating on towers of silence. Besides, the formal evolution of these burial structures has investigated from the Sasanid to the Late Islamic period. Hence, there are some questions to answer. 1) How are the continuation and evolution of the architectural structure of towers of silence from the Sasanid to the Late Islamic period? 2) Which elements caused the evolution of the architectural structure of towers of silence? 3) Is it possible to find a relative dating about the date of construction of these burial structures based on the evolution of the architecture of towers of silence? For the answer to these questions, a descriptive-analytical method has used. Field and library studies and comparative studies are the most important methods of this illustration. This study will show towers of silence follow four different architecture methods. The quality of roof covering, the way of exposure, the divide of burial spaces, location of a central well, how to enter to xwaršēd nigerišn places, details of architectural structure and creation of some buildings related to burial are the most important towers of silence diversities factors. There is some reason for these diversities: 1) emigration of Zoroastrian communities to Yazd 2) cultural relation between Iran and India Zoroastrian communities, 3) Maneckji Limji Hataria activities in Iran

A Historical Archaeology of the Zoroastrian Societies in Maybod (Yazd): A Preliminary Report of Archaeological Survey in the Mazra’e Kalantar and Hassan Abad Villages

Hassan Fazeli nashli; Ruth Young

Volume 11, Issue 2 , October 2019, , Pages 211-226

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2019.73114

Abstract

A joint team from University of Tehran and Leicester University carried out a first season of archaeological exploration of Zoroastrian societies in Maybod of Yazad province during ... Read More

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Keywords = architecture

The Eastern Iran Prehistoric Archaeological Project: The Second Season of Archaeological Excavation at Kale Kub, Southern Khorasan Province (2019)

Abstract

Introduction and Analysis of the Architecture of the Tomb of Sultan Ibrahim Reza in Darmian City and Reading the Relics of its Historical Writings

Abstract

A Study of the Architectural Remains of the Sasanian Site of Tol-e Qaleh Seyfabad -Kazerun: A Suggestion about the Function

Abstract

Evolution of Architectural Structure of Towers of Silence from Sasanid to Late Islamic Period

Abstract

A Historical Archaeology of the Zoroastrian Societies in Maybod (Yazd): A Preliminary Report of Archaeological Survey in the Mazra’e Kalantar and Hassan Abad Villages

Abstract