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By the establishment of local semi-independent governments in the southern shores of the Caspian Sea, Iranian north provinces were cover of conflicts between the local governors with Omayyad and Abbasids Caliphates. Supplying political security in Tabaristan and creating suitable conditions for economic development led to formation of multiple garrisons in the vast geography of the region. These buildings, by the historical and geographical sources, have been nominated as Maslah-i-, Sakhlou and Zeynistan. The Garrisons in Abbasids period. Were built by Abol-Abbas-i- Tousi. The geographical coverage of these garisons included in Plain, jungles and Mountainous areas. Starting from Tammish-i- city in the east of Tabaristan to the Chalous city in the west. The quantity of garrisons has differed between 31, 45 to 50 numbers. In this research, we recognized 31 garrisons. Also we tried determine the distribution of garrisons according to historical and geographical sources.

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Education and Training were of great importance in Iran since ancient times. It was further developed along with Islam uprising. Education centers were also flourished at the same time. The process of the religious sciences schools initiated in Saljuqid era formally when the Nezamies were established. They continued their survival more or less until Qajar era, So that we find most of mosque-schools in Tehran as the time capital of the country that is why we believe that the study of such buildings from the view points of the architecture and the related decorations is a must. The greatest and the most important mosque-schools of the Qajar era in Tehran is the old Sepahsalar. It has experienced the least changes in more recent times; so it is an original sample of the mosque-schools. In this paper we attempt to study and consider the architecture and decorations characteristics of this building. Therefore, we evaluate its history, general map, spatial and functional elements and decorative methods applied in this mosque-school through a descriptive-analytical approach.

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Chahar-taqi is a valuable form of Iranian architecture used in the construction of religious and other types of structures in pre-and post-Islamic periods.According to the available archaeological evidence, it has been used in pre-Islamic architecture, especially from the Median period as a plan for construction of fire altars. After a while, this form of architecture became more common, and was used in the construction of such structures as palace. The Chahar- taqi plan was also used during the Islamic period, although there are limited vestiges of its use in the first four centuries of Islamic period. However, with the rise of Seljuk dynasty, and the need to expand the architectural spaces like mosques, this construction plan was widely used in the construction of mosques, palaces and castles. Based on the archetype hypothesis by Jung, the authors set out to analyze the reasons for selecting this architecture form and its continuation from Sassanid to the Islamic period by mentioning evidences of its sacred aspect in Islamic sources. In other words, the question is whether chahar-tag (four-typed) architecture is a model derived from the common beliefs of the society or unconscious tribal mind of pre-Islamic peoples of Iran, found its way, gained ground and evolved in human mind in this land, and used in the construction of other structures such as palaces, castles, mosques and tomb monuments.    

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  From the ancient time, the land of Iran, because of its geopolitical location, played an important role in terms of cultural interaction between the East and the West. Infact, one of the most attractive parts of the world history is cultural communication and also political conflicts between Iran, Greece and Roman Empires, as representatives of the East and the West. According to historical and archaeological evidences, it can be claimed that, among the craftsmen of both nations, there was a clear understanding on mythical and religious characters of other side. So, on the basis of iconographical studies, this paper aims to focus on two mythical characters,Tishtar and Pegasus, as a sign of cultural interaction, appeared on two Sassanid silverworks. This study, finally takes a result that how Iranian artisan in Sassanidera had imitated the form of Pegasus appearance on the Western art and used it as a prototype to show Tishtar on his works.     

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  Abstract The tombs play an important role in the Islamic era. These buildings, which are widely distributed in all parts of Iran, can reveal detailed information about the architectural styles, decorations and other materials relating to the structures and forms of these kinds of buildings. Shiite Zeidiyye government in the fourth century AD and Mar’ashid in the eighth century AD, and immigration of Sādāt and Alavid individuals to the Iranian plateau and regions such as Rey, Ghasran, Damavand, Tabarestan, Ghumes (Kumesh) and Khorassan, have been the reasons for the development of these buildings. With the death or martyrdom of these people, those places were focal points for the growth of the Shi'ite thoughts and justice-oriented uprisings or jumps. Lavassanat and Rudbar-e-Ghasran region in the northern present-day Tehran has been in direct contact with the area of Damavand in the southern Alborz climatically, historically, and culturally. This study is an analysis between some Ilkhanid buildings in the area of Lavasanat and RudbarGhasran and some contemporaneous monuments at Damavand area. The purpose is a comparison and studying of architectonic structure of the buildings, stylistic similarities and differences between them, and the kind of material and ornaments used at the mentioned regions. The research method is descriptive – analytic, data gathering was done by field and documentary methods with a theoretical orientation in cultural history studies.    

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The remains of the historical city of AskarMokram are situated in Khuzistan near the Band-e Ghir village in the form of various Tepes (hills) on either sides of the Gargar River. On the basis of historical and geographical sources, the city was established in the second half of the first century during the gradual development of the military camping place of Mokram- ibn- Motraf or Mokram- ibn- Fazar, the servant of Hajaj–ibn-Yusuf Saqafi in the Sasanian village or small city named Rostaqobad; therefore, the city is called “AskarMokram”. The city was gradually developed on either sides of Masroqan River and became famous as the center of Khoreh/Koreh with the same name, and as one of the most important cities of Khuzistan during the Islamic period. The strategic and military situation of the city, which was located in the way of Iraq and Khuzistan to Fars and Lurestan, and was considered before the establishment of the city (and actually is regarded as the main reason of the forming of AskarMokram), made the city more important. It seems that when the irrigation system of Masroqan River and the agricultural economy of the region were declined in the last centuries of the medial Islamic period, the importance of AskarMokram was reduced, and probably the city abandoned completely during the fifteenth century A.D.    In this article, it is attempted to render the comprehensive picture of the city during the Islamic period by the exact study of historical and geographical sources, and make comparison between them.

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Kalmakareh treasure was accidentally explored by a rural hunter from the Kalmakareh cave in 1989. The cave is Located in the north west of Poldokhtar City in Loristanprovice. The treasure includes different types of vessels like rhytons, human and animal statues, masks, plaques, bracelets, etc. Based on the previous studies, the treasure belongs to Neo-Elamite period (1^th millennium BC). These objects bear archaeological significance and enjoy unique value, with recpect to Neo-Elamite inscriptions in some of them. Deciphering theses incscriptions by Lambert, F.Vallat and RassoulBashash, and archaeological analysis by Leila Khosravi shed light on an anonymous local governorship of the Neo-Elamite, and provided a New chapter in the archaeological studies of this particular period in the west of Iran. Except a few number of masks made of gold, the rest objects of this collection were nade of silver. It seems that, because of being as a scale for trade at the time, the artisans deliberately applied silver to produce kalmakareh treasure. The authors aim to present an analytical study on the golden masks of the treasure, and slso compare them with the same types produced in other cultures.  

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Caucasus region became a part of Achaemenid Empire during the Dariush attack to Scythian at 513-512 BC, and formed the northern border of the empire. Modern Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, which generally form the south Caucasus countries, have been part of Achaemenid subordinate nations. In the official lists of Achaemenid satrapies, only the name of Armenia, has been noted and the administrative position of the other regions (Georgia and Azerbaijan) is less clear. The only written source that contains some information about this issue is Herodotus, and Archaeology data also shows that at the end of 6 century BC, major changes and innovations have been occurred in these regions as a result of Persian attendance. According to archaeological data, the most notably are Achaemenid type palaces with bell shaped column bases. Based on Herodotus records and other cultural material, western Armenia was a part of the 18^th satrapy, eastern Armenia was a part of the13^th satrapy, and Azerbaijan belonged to the 11^th satrapy in Herodotus list. Also western Georgia (i.e. Colchis) was not directly a satrapy, and at the extremity border of Achaemenid Empire, had undertaken protecting the north border of the empire against the Scythians, attacks. Although eastern Georgia (i.e. Iberia) was a part of  the 11^th or 18^th satrapy in Herodotus list. In general, the aim of this study is to investigate the administrative position of  modern Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in the Achaemeniansatrapal system based on archaeological data. The methodology of this research is based on library research and field visiting of the areas in question.

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A vital consideration must be implied on recognizing and investigating the Ural plannings of old and ancient cities. Old architectural Ural plannings as Iranian civil and culture symbol, are historical documents, which exhibit experiences from old Iranians. Warm regions form a major part of our country. City Ural plannings are totally based on the special warm and dry weather, which provides the responses to the people of the region. Accordingly, a similar condition is considered for all warm and dry regions in Iran. Sarayan is one of the cities located around the central desert of Iran, which contains the ancient and valuable Ural planning proportional to the condition of the region. This city is located in southern Khorasan province and the north western part of this province. Special regional properties, mountains and deserts neighborhood and being along a connective road have made Sarayan a place for residence, which caused its extension and growth. An alive spirit is exposing from past up to now according to different architectures from the Timurid to Pahlavid and six different areas inside the city, as well as distinctive architectures inside each area. This field and library research has been done in order to rebuild the urban Ural planning of Sarayan from Safavid to the first Pahlavid.  

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This article contains the views of different scholars and their researches about Allah Verdi Khan Bridge. In this brief study two important points have been highlighted. First, who is the probable constructor of the bridge and what the references tell about it. Secondly, the explanation about the grave mistakes of the foundation and completion dates of the bridge and thus argument about the exact date. In addition to these two points various architectural characteristics have also been highlighted.

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Public bathes have much importance in Islamic cities, after the most significant structures like mosques and schools. There are a number of factors affecting the construction of bathes among which temperature regulation, humidity, access path, location in the urban texture, watercourses, and construction of exit paths are the most important. This study tries to make a comparative analysis of the architectures of bathes during Safavid and Qajar in order to reveal factors affecting their construction as well as the types of architecture implemented. Consequently, 13 public bathes were recognized and examined. The data elicited was then subjected to SPSS for further statistical investigation. Nonparametric Spearman correlation test was utilized to know the relationship among the variables and the factors affecting the architectures. The findings reveal a number of factors to be in statistically high correlation.

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The hoard of Kalmakarra Cave that includes hundreds of golden and silver objects has been unearthed in 1989 in Pol-e Dokhtar located at Loristān Province by villagers. In addition to aesthetical values, these objects bear archeological significance. Their unique value, with respect to inscriptions in Old Aramaic, Neo- Assyrian and Neo- Elamite on some of them. Deciphering these inscriptions by [Jean] Lambert, François Vallat and Rassoul Bashāsh shed light on an anonymous local governorship of the Neo-Elamite and provided a new chapter in the archeological studies of this particular period in Iran, which this paper will focus on it.

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Hundreds of stray coins are being donated every year to different Iranian museums but it is difficult to establish their authenticities due to lack of knowledge about places of their findings. Part of these stray metallic pieces is related to Parthians. Due to their lengthy rule, of about five centuries, Parthian coins form important part of numismatic collection at the museums. Authors have taken Reza Abbasi Museum at Tehran as case study to review the authenticity of those coins. A comparison between statistical data and available historical records give a vivid idea about the genuineness and forgery of these metallic pieces. As such, this article attempts to show the genuineness of some of the coins by taking into account statistical data from early Parthian kings and their comparison with the available historical documents.

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Undoubtedly, pottery is among the most important information types that can help understand societies and cultures better. Despite introducing pottery known as Sultān Abād and its classification over the last few decades, very limited information has been published so far on the origin of its type and about archeological sites containing them. The main reason for this seems to be that containers could not be found in archeological excavations, and most of these potteries were obtained through illegal excavations hence; are part of private collections and museums. Consequently, our understanding on their origin, extent and distribution is very limited. In the current study, we attempt to present a brief introduction about the technical and decorative features of this pottery type, its construction origin, historical background and the likely place or places of its production. Then, based on information from recent archaeological excavations and surveys, this pottery type is described and explained.

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From the middle of the first millennium BC, there witnessed a gradual bilateral relation between Iranians and Greeks. These people to people attachments also resulted in interactive influences between these two cultures and arts. Qualitative and quantitative investigation on these interactions is a basic issue in identifying both cultures. The current paper, among all miscellaneous influences of Hellenism on the culture and the art of the Parthian realm, attempts to analyze only the influences of basics and rules of the Greek aestheticism on the Parthian sculpture and come to a historical conclusion based on an inductive method.               

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With the formation of local and national governments during the 3^rd-5^th centuries A.H. [9th - 11th A.D.], the circumstances were prepared for adaption and recreating cultural and artistic traditions of Sassanid period. In this regard, Samanid governors played a key role. Amir Ismail Samanid came up with a style which became a pattern for numerous mausoleums and on the other hand connected the architectural elements and designs of Sassanids with the Islamic era. The Mausoleum of Amir Ismail Samanid itself shows how the Sassanid architectural elements appear in a new format. Both the design and construction of this building appears to have been carried out objectively, and Amir Samanid had somehow intended to follow the Sassanid dynasty. Studying the architectural elements and features of the Ismail Samanids Mausoleum as well as adaptions from the Sassanid architecture, and also its historical and cultural contexts (the revival of Iranian identity and returning to the traditions of Sassanian, during the 3rd – 5th centuries A.H.) are the main objectives of the present paper. 
 
 

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From the middle of the first millennium BC, there witnessed a gradual bilateral relation between Iranians and Greeks. These people to people attachments also resulted in interactive influences between these two cultures and arts. Qualitative and quantitative investigation on these interactions is a basic issue in identifying both cultures.
The current paper, among all miscellaneous influences of Hellenism on the culture and the art of the Parthian realm, attempts to analyze only the influences of basics and rules of the Greek aestheticism on the Parthian sculpture and come to a historical conclusion based on an inductive method.
 
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The history of Tabaristän, from the late Sassanid era through the middle Islamic age, underwent significant social and political changes the result of which were independence seeking movements leading to some semi-independent local governments. Each of these governments claimed political and social governance over a particular region. Castles, as important and influential military bases, were means at the disposal of the commanders and governors to maintain their sociopolitical power. Among the known castles in the mountains of Mazandaran province, Pouläd Castle in Nour, the capital of Nour County, is one of the symbols of territorial defense. It is located on a tall mount off the city of Baladeh in Nour County. Being built on an elevated location and overlooking the important surrounding regions and strategic ways has made Pouläd Castle one of the important centers in the sociopolitical changes. The present study follows a field work method as well as a library research method to investigate the defense structure of Pouläd castle and its geopolitical and geostrategic role in the power distribution pattern over the region of Rouyän in Tabaristän during the Islamic middle ages. The results show that the builders had tried their best to enhance the stability of the castle by building several layers of walls, utilizing the slope of the mountain, building several defense towers, and using rocky and impervious points as natural forts. Architectural analysis shows that Pouläd Castle, with both its military and political functions, has had a prominent role in the political changes of western Tabaristän.
 

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Defensive fortifications in different regions of Iran have been an effective factor in the survival ‎of residential centers and commercial routes. An investigation on defensive structures will ‎provide useful information on this kind of architecture. The study of remains of castles in the ‎Rey region has provided an important context for archaeological research. In the present ‎study, the Seljuk fortifications (Rashkān fortress, Gabri and Kāsni Castles) are introduced and ‎recognized as inner city castles. It aims at identifying and studying the Seljuk fortifications of ‎Rey, identifying the function of inner city fortifications, and comparing them with other samples ‎in neighboring regions in terms of characteristics. The data were gathered through field and ‎documentary studies while an analytical-historical method was applied in the course of the ‎research. Important questions intended to be addressed were: 1. what has been the role of ‎Seljuk fortifications of Rey in security provision of the region? 2. In which categories can the ‎Seljuk fortifications of Rey be classified in terms of structural characteristics and architectural ‎classification? Among the Seljuk fortifications of Rey, Kohandez (e.g. Rashkān Fortress) had ‎functioned as the political headquarters, and in other inner city castles, larger circular towers ‎have been usually located in four angles and interspersed with subsidiary towers. These types of ‎defensive architecture indicate the progress in the urban construction and security provision. ‎

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The mythical characters with the names of God or angels with multiple hands are seen in different cultures. In a number of religious buildings of Gilan and Mazandaran, there is an iconographic image with upright hands, depicted with inscription, Angel of Rain. In the Iranian mythology, Anahita is a special angel of water, and Tishtar, is the angel of rain. The purpose of this study is to examine the function of multi-handed humanoid characters and motifs in Iranian, Hindu and Buddhist cultures. In all of these cultures, numerous hands indicate helping and hands rising to signify prayer for divine mercy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the function of multi-faceted human characters and motifs in Iranian, Hindu and Buddhist cultures.