سید ابراهیم رایگانی

Kuh-i Sukhteh in Omidiyeh, one of the most important but less-known areas in southwestern Iran, is between Omidiyeh and today’s Aghajari. This area was considered a part of the Asak region (one of Arjan environs). Active sources of fire plagued this area in ancient times due to its natural bed, and it was probably a place for the construction of shrines, including the Zoroastrian fire temple. This spatial feature was observed and written about by travelers and authors of the first and middle Islamic centuries. Historical texts refer to this area as a volcano, fire, fire temple, and fire altar. This research aims to compare the material presented by historical texts with archaeological data to locate the Asak fire temple. Conducting this research is necessary to complete the puzzle of the communication route between Ramhormoz and Arjan and identify the architectural structures related to the settlement and possible Zoroastrian shrines in this route. This research tries to answer this question: What is the connection between the Kuh-i Sukhteh area and Zoroastrian religious buildings in the Sasanian and the first Islamic centuries? Conclusion: Based on information from the historical and geographical texts of the first to middle Islamic centuries and archaeological data, including pottery and architectural remains, the Kuh-i Sukhteh in Omidiyeh is an adaptable place for the ancient fire temple of Asak. However, archaeological excavations seem necessary to document more architectural structures. The present study’s data result from authors’ survey studies and citation studies, and we have concluded by historical, descriptive analysis.