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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.

Katja Föllmer was born on October 17, 1974. She was a senior researcher and lecturer at the University of Göttingen. Katja Föllmer studied Iranian Studies, Arabic Studies, and Ethnology at the University of Göttingen between 1993 and 2002, earning a Master of Arts degree. Katja Föllmer received her doctorate in Iranian Studies in 2007 with a thesis on “Satire im Iran von 1900 – 2000: Eine Analyse exemplarischer Texte” (Satire in Iran from 1900 to 2000: An Analysis of Exemplary Texts) (Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden; 2008), and her habilitation in Iranian Studies in 2017 with a thesis on “Das vorislamische Erbe Irans: Zwischen Tradition und Reform und Modernisierung” (The Pre-Islamic Heritage of Iran: Between Tradition and Reform and Modernization) (Kohlhammer, Stuttgart, 2022).Her research interests include concepts and ideas from the pre-Islamic heritage in Iranian societies, issues in Iranian cultural and religious history from antiquity to the present, Persian historiography, identity construction, classical and modern Persian literature, and Sufism and Persian Sufi literature.Manṭiq-uṭ-Ṭayr (The Conference of the Birds or Speech of the Birds) is a Persian poem by Farid ud-Din Attar, translated into German as Die Konferenz der Vögel by Katja Föllmer (2014). She published Satire in Iran Von 1990 Bis 2000: Eine Analyse Emplarischer Texte (Satire in Iran from 1990 to 2000: An Analysis of Empirical Texts) (2008); and also, Das Vorislamische Erbe Irans: Zwischen Islamischer Tradition Und Reform Und Modernisierung (Iran’s Pre-Islamic Heritage: Between Islamic Tradition and Reform and Modernization) (2022).Dr. Katja Föllmer passed away on June 11, 2025, at the age of 50. May her soul rest in peace.

With the arrival of Christian Armenians in Isfahan during the reign of Shah Abbas Safavid, churches were built in this city, like the mosques of this period. The structure and decorations of the church building captured the audience's attention. The Armenian churches of Isfahan have large domes with motifs and visual elements. By analyzing them, common signs and symbols can be identified. The primary concern of this research is whether the architectural and visual motifs of the Armenian churches in Isfahan share a common language and convey a unified goal, rooted in the principles of Christian belief. And what are the most important components of their common language, and why were these components used? The need for research is to examine the dimensions of the common language in terms of analyzing the symbols and visual signs in these domes based on the principles of Christianity.The purpose of this research is to examine and identify the common language, the direction of the perceptions, and the kinship of the worshipers. And how to reach this common language requires semiotic analysis. Therefore, the research uses a descriptive-analytical method, and the data collection tool is a library method. And it is discussed based on the semiotic theory of Charles Sanders Peirce. The findings show that the churches have circular domes with skylights. The outer covering of the domes lacks decorative motifs. The visual motifs are engraved on the inside of the building and under the domes. And they all follow the same structure. And they have Christian concepts that form a common language. Including: God, eternity, resurrection, and salvation. The components that have formed the structure and visual motifs of the domes of the Armenian churches of Isfahan have a direct connection with the Holy Bible and faith in God (God the Father)and Jesus Christ (the Son). And they play an important role in the perceptions and identification of the audience.

After Arab invasions and territorial expansion in Sassanian-era Iran, Iranians resisted Umayyad and Abbasid caliphs due to bias and discrimination. Uprisings against biased Arab rulers reduced their control over the Islamic Caliphate's eastern borders, paving the way for local government formation and independence. The Abbasid caliphate, facing challenges in the west and engaging with the Byzantine Empire, was alarmed by emerging local governments like the Tahirids, Saffarids, and Samanids. To maintain influence, the Abbasid caliphate considered granting conditional independence to these regions. The Ghaznavid rulers, originally prominent commanders in the Abbasid army, grew and trained within its military structure. Supported by the people and their soldiers, they pursued independence, breaking allegiance to Baghdad and establishing their government. Initially part of the Abbasid army, these rulers, including Ghaznavid emirs, moved eastward due to conflicting interests with the Baghdad caliphate. There, they formed semi-independent structures to maintain influence.In the eastern borders, where political systems like the Ghaznavids relied on military power, the army (Sepah) and militarism played a crucial role in historical research. The central question explores how the military system and militarism in local governments, such as the Ghaznavids, contributed to their formation, development, and expansion during the early Islamic centuries. Research reveals the Ghaznavid government's military system and militarism were modeled after predecessors like the Abbasids, Umayyads, and Sassanians. Local governments like the Tahirids and Saffarids significantly influenced this evolution. Over time, Ghaznavid rule underwent fundamental changes in the army and militarism, reaching maturity in response to evolving needs.

This study examines the so-called “scribe pattern” markers identified in 62 late Proto-Elamite administrative documents housed in the Louvre Museum and the National Museum of Iran. Recent research indicates that Proto-Elamite administrative systems underwent significant developments in the methods used to authenticate and individualize documents. Archaeological evidence suggests that, in the early phases, animal and symbolic motifs predominated in seal designs; however, with the advancement of writing, these were gradually replaced by simpler linear signs. Notably, the emergence of new types of seals inspired by these linear signs characterizes the later stages of this period. These changes reflect a complex phase of interaction between ancient traditions and administrative innovations. It appears that Proto-Elamite society was actively experimenting and seeking optimal solutions for recording and verifying information. Despite recent advances in scholarship, major challenges remain in fully understanding this system, especially regarding the precise status of these markers within the administrative hierarchy. This research not only opens a new window onto the study of early administrative systems but can also inspire comparative studies of the evolution of writing in ancient civilizations. The discovery and analysis of additional examples in the future will undoubtedly clarify many of the current uncertainties.

Achaemenid architecture is distinguished by its columned halls and porticoes, which can be found in the empire’s major capitals, such as Pasargadae, Susa, and Persepolis. Column bases are one of the most essential parts of a column, and square and bell-shaped column bases were frequently used during the Achaemenid period. During a 2018 survey conducted in Hannā, Semirom County, Esfahan Province, the authors discovered two square-column bases that showed a striking resemblance to other column bases found in the Achaemenid Empire. The column bases, along with several partly carved slabs, were found by a bulldozer during the digging process. If these column bases and carved slabs are indeed from an Achaemenid period construction, it serves as a strong indication of the importance of the Hannā site in Semirom. An additional indication of the significance of these findings is the lack of palaces or buildings with columns from the Achaemenid period in the region of Esfahan. Furthermore, it is essential to take into account the continued use of square-column bases in post-Achaemenid structures, as well as the fact that the masonry tools employed during this period remained unchanged throughout the following centuries. By analyzing the presence of carved stone slabs and columned bases of pillared buildings and halls from the Achaemenid period and beyond, we may determine that we are dealing with a prestigious structure that is associated with the elite of society. After the decline of the Achaemenid Empire, pillared structures and this type of square and stepped column base were used.