درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

The Territorial conquests of the Medes, as Far East as Hyrcania, could be traced from the first half of the seventh century BC onwards. The first Median kings undertook far-flung campaigns to take control of the region and extend their territory. The existence of the fortified settlement in the Gorgān plain could prove the expansion of centralized Median kingdom as far as Hyrcania. The Assyrian sources of the 9th to 7th century BC are also in overall agreement with the results of the archeological studies in the western steppe of Gorgān plain (Hyrcania). As a result, the Median’s dominance over Hyrcania determined the strategies and political guidelines of the Median kingdom and set the foundations for its transformation from a confederation of tribes to a powerful trans-regional state. Accordingly, in the present paper, beside historical and literary sources, archaeological evidences have also been studied in order to determine the Median’s range of territory in the east of their homeland.

From a temporal perspective, we observe the presence and distribution of beveled rim bowls in Iran and Mesopotamia from the mid-fourth millennium BC until the beginning of the Bronze Age. The large production and specific shape of this pottery, alongside its extensive distribution, have prompted many archaeologists to study this subject. Beveled rim bowls is categorized into two types: Uruk and proto Elamite, based on their shape and structure. The geographical conditions in Iran have differentiated the distribution of this pottery compared to Mesopotamia. During this period, the Uruk type gradually changed in structure and transformed into the proto Elamite type. The regions of Khuzestan, Central Zagros, and the Central Plateau have the highest density of sites and pottery in Iran, connecting these centers through intermediary areas. According to the studies conducted, this distribution in Iran has been exported to various other regions by local elites or specific groups of people. Perhaps, this group consisted of local merchants who, through migration, spread the proto Elamite culture in Iran, while the Uruk type of beveled rim bowl was produced and distributed for economic or political purposes in significant sites such as Susa, Chogha Mish, Tepe Yahya, Sefalin, and Godin Tepe.

Deccan is a fertile plateau in the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, spanning an area of approximately three hundred square kilometers. In Sanskrit, Deccan means "south," and the Bahmani rulers established the first independent Muslim government in the Deccan region, reigning from 1347 to 1528. This research aims to answer the crucial question of how Iranian-Deccani architecture evolved during the Bahmani era and which structures prominently reflect this architectural style, using a historical research method grounded in a descriptive-analytical approach. The findings of the research indicate that the Bahmani's tolerance and affinity for the Shia sect, along with their support for Shia migrants who had immigrated to Deccan from Iran and Arab lands, led to the widespread influence of Shia beliefs and the prevalence of Iranian-Islamic culture and civilization in Deccan. During this period, numerous Iranian architects and artisans migrated to India, contributing to the creation of many buildings characteristic of the Bahmani era. As a result, many mosques and structures from the Bahmani era in Deccan bear the influence of the Timurid architectural style of Iran. This phenomenon facilitated the penetration of Iranian architectural style and the flourishing of Iranian-Islamic culture in India, particularly during the Bahmani period.

For years, archaeologists have investigated and excavated the peripheral lands of the Persian Gulf and accomplished considerable achievements in this regard. The findings were published in the form of articles and books. Nevertheless, despite efforts by some historians to come up with works on this field, there lacks a comprehensive archaeological book on the Persian Gulf. In the present study, the author attempts to critically evaluate a book entitled Persian Gulf Archaeology in Parthian & Sasanian Periods.

Among the significant and yet controversial archaeological remains of the Sasanian period are the Chahār Tāqis and fire temples of this era. Chahār Tāqis reflect historical and architectural engineering points that, despite their simplicity in construction, have managed to endure for many years. Although the primary function of Chahār Tāqis was mainly religious, in some cases, they could also serve as commemorative monuments or guideposts. Despite being constructed over a long period and scattered across a vast geographical area throughout the Iranian plateau, Chahār Tāqis exhibit very similar characteristics in construction techniques and spatial positioning. The abundance, distribution, and expansion of Chahār Tāqis in the studied region necessitate multiple research topics from architectural, functional, and religious perspectives. Given the prevalence and spread of Chahār Tāqis in the Isfahan region, this study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach to compare the architectural elements of Sasanian fire temples and Chahār Tāqis in Isfahan province, as well as the metric dimensions of each architectural element. In addition to studying the architectural and decorative elements used in prominent Chahār Tāqis of the region, such as those in Niasar, Shirkuh, Nakhlak, and Qal'eh Dar, the reasons for their abundance in this region compared to other areas during the Sasanian period and their potential uses in the early Islamic period are also explored. Furthermore, the positioning of these structures in relation to nearby natural and unnatural phenomena has been carefully examined. Based on the dimensions and surface distribution of the mentioned Chahār Tāqis, it can be concluded that these structures were likely sites for the Aduran or Dadgah fires.