Journal of Archaeological Studies

Study of the Development Process of Herat City During the Kart Dynasty, Based On the Survey of Developments in The Axis of Khiaban-Mazar-e Herat

Shahin Garakani Dashteh; Mohammad Mortezaei

Volume 16, Issue 2 , September 2024, , Pages 309-325

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2024.341280.143104

Abstract

Tomb Street (Khiaban-Mazar) is described as a complex where the tombs are located on either side of a passageway. “Khiaban-e Herat” (Herat Street) is also a cemetery with ... Read More

Numismatics of Tabriz Mint during the Ilkhanate Period (Focusing on the Era Hülegü to Öljeitü)

Moharram Bastani; Nematollah Alimohammady

Volume 16, Issue 2 , September 2024, , Pages 327-357

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2025.337049.143315

Abstract

The Tabriz mint is one of the most significant mints from the Ilkhanid period. Since the Hulegu Khan era, Tabriz was officially recognised as the political centre of Ilkhanid rule. ... Read More The Tabriz mint is one of the most significant mints from the Ilkhanid period. Since the Hulegu Khan era, Tabriz was officially recognised as the political centre of Ilkhanid rule. This decision, whether ideal or flawed, attracted an influx of artists, scholars, calligraphers, craftsmen, and architects from the vast territories of the Ilkhanid Empire—from Transoxiana to Asia Minor, the plains of Qipchaq and the Transcaucasus to the Mediterranean shores, and from the Persian Gulf to the Strait of Oman. During this time, Tabriz became a major financial, political, scientific, military, and social hub. Historical sources document that Tabriz reached a remarkable level of growth and distinction, with visitors—including tourists, foreign emissaries, and domestic ambassadors—providing vivid descriptions of the city in their accounts. The choice to establish Tabriz as the Ilkhanid political centre appears to have significantly boosted its importance as one of the largest and most prominent mints in Iran during this era, as evidenced by numismatic records. Tabriz’s role in minting underwent substantial changes, shaped by shifts across various historical periods, particularly its financial structure. The study of coins from this mint offers valuable insights into some obscure aspects of Iranian history during the Ilkhanid rule. This article examines Tabriz, one of the most influential mints of the Ilkhanid period, by highlighting its unique characteristics, features, and innovations. This paper addresses the question of how coins were minted in Tabriz in comparison to those from other Iranian mints and seeks to understand the factors behind Tabriz’s preeminence. Preliminary research suggests that Tabriz, as the Ilkhanid political centre, possessed the necessary conditions to become a major financial institution under the Ilkhanid administration. Following the progression of the Ilkhanid administration from nomadism to a more advanced and sophisticated one, the same development appeared in Tabriz. evolved correspondingly. Attracted a vast array of experts, talented artists, scientists, and craftsmen; fostering a dynamic professional environment that contributed to other Iranian cities in various areas of development. By the latter part of Ilkhanid rule in Iran, particularly during the reigns of Öljeitü and Abu Sa’id, Tabriz became a notable centre of cultural, economic, financial, architectural, artistic, and intellectual achievements. This included advancements in book illumination, painting, and coinage, largely for skilled and talented workers drawn from across the empire. This thesis, therefore, focuses on the unique characteristics of coins minted in Tabriz and explores the reasons for and implications of the Tabriz mint’s superiority over other mints within the Ilkhanid Empire.

Thermoluminescence Dating of Bricks from the so-called Arch of Ali-Shah

Fereshteh Pashaei Kamali; Amin Moradi

Volume 13, Issue 2 , September 2021, , Pages 95-105

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.293523.142812

Abstract

Citation of all historical texts to the construction of "the largest ever-made brick vault in the Islamic world" by Tajeddin Alishah Jilani, the minister of Sultan Mohammad Khodabandeh ... Read More Citation of all historical texts to the construction of "the largest ever-made brick vault in the Islamic world" by Tajeddin Alishah Jilani, the minister of Sultan Mohammad Khodabandeh Oljaito in the 8th century AH, have always led historians and scholars of architecture to attribute the brick massive U-shaped monument in the center of the historical context of Tabriz to Alishah, Ilkhanid minister. This U-shaped giant vault is mostly considered as the mouth of the same arch, which collapsed shortly due to the haste in the process of its construction in the Ilkhanid period. While new research findings pave the way for new horizons around the identity of the architecture and the use of the contemporary remains of this huge building attributed to the Arch of Alishah. Accordingly, the main question of this leading research will be to determine the architectural relationship of this building with the building constructed in the Ilkhanid Period. If it is assumed that there are two completely distinct phases of architecture, using the dating technique through thermoluminescence method, on the bricks of this huge structure on the basis that brick is one of the desirable building materials for the absolute dating of historical buildings by thermoluminescence method in recent years, there is a time difference of at least two centuries in this existing structure. This indicates the fact that there is no connection between the remains of the arch attributed to the Arch of Alishah and the vault created in the Ilkhanid Period. According to the architectural evidence and conducted studies, what is certain is that modern remains attributed to Alishah Jilani were created about two centuries after the Ilkhanid Period, and the existing U-shaped brick monument is a later construction phase used to block, complete and convert the land use of the remains of the Ilkhanid building of the northern part that have been created on its southern side; so, there is no connection between the existing U-shaped architectural monument and the famous Alishah Arch.

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Keywords = Tabriz

Study of the Development Process of Herat City During the Kart Dynasty, Based On the Survey of Developments in The Axis of Khiaban-Mazar-e Herat

Abstract

Numismatics of Tabriz Mint during the Ilkhanate Period (Focusing on the Era Hülegü to Öljeitü)

Abstract

Thermoluminescence Dating of Bricks from the so-called Arch of Ali-Shah

Abstract