International Journal of Introduction International Journal of 32 Architectural Technology Architectural Technology 33 No : 1 / Autumn: 2012 Iran “pre-Islam” architecture was widespread in different rich forms in Syria, No : 1 / Autumn: 2012 North India, China’s borders, Caucasus and Zangbar (in Africa). This method Wonders of Iran’s Figure 1. a part of Tape Zaghe of architecture and its designing and representation methods has found its remains, Ghazvin plateau; seventh way into the architecture of other enthusiast nations. millennium A.D. Architectural “Pre-Islam” architecture, (like “post-Islam” architec- ture), was always logical, and was full of spiritual val- ues of good breeding and Iranian wise nation. There is Works Before no similar philosophical architecture in other parts of the world. If there is any, it is just an imitation of the Iranian artful architecture. the Islamic Era It must be mentioned that, this kind of architecture is 1) Associate professor, Shahid Hussein Zomarshidi1 Rajaee Teacher Training University, 1000 years old. The buildings built in this Era, show Tehran, Iran the wisdom of Iranian people. Each Era in Architectur- Adobe-made buildings around Kermanshah and Ghazvin be- al history had something valuable for the whole world. long to 8th and 7th millenniums B.C. Shahr e Sukhteh (Burnt “Pre-Islam” architectural works are abundant, and Figure 2. some parts of buildings’ town) which had contiguous buildings, belongs to the third have been widely spread in Iran, in the past and the remains of Shahr e Sookhte, the millennium B.C. Ziggurat (a brick-made building in Cheg- present time. We will briefly deal with some of them, third millennium A.D (Ilami Era) hazanbil) has specific features. It is for the end of the second which now exist in Iran. millennium B.C. 1. ANCIENT RESIDENCES The 17 stone palaces of Takht e Jamshid, which belong to Skeletons of adobe-made residences which belong to Hakhamaneshi Era, reveal high value of world architecture 8th millennium B.C are located ten kilometers far from and unique ways of building. Arch buildings of Ashkani Era, Hersin, a town near Kermanshah. There are some including temples and palaces, have brought some advan- simple adobe-made buildings in “Ganje Tape Zaghe” tages for Iran’s architecture. Unique architecture of Sassanid valley, in Ghazvin plateau. Their ceiling lining was dehiscent Era (for example bases of arch buildings, their plan baldchin. So the ceilings were destroyed, but their skeletons have been saved up to the present. and frameworks, their surfaces, arches, and domes) resulted Figure 3. Adobe–made arch lin- In different buildings (such as palaces, fire temples, inns, etc) ings, niches,… Shahr e Sookhte (third millennium A.D). In all, many of worthy methods of “pre-Islam” architecture, is 2. SHAHR E SUKHTEH the basis of “post-Islam” architecture in Iran. Archeological investigations were done by an Italian archeology team, (under the supervision of Profes- sor Martin Toozi) and Iranian archeology team. These investigations took place in 3 stages (from 1968 to 1979). Shahr e Sukhteh’s works (of the third millen- nium B.C.) was exhumed at this time. Some adobe-made contiguous houses have nim god “Eskonj”-made arch linings. There are some layers which are called “Lapoosh”, in the middle parts of arches. “Eskonjs” of these houses resulted in “Shekonj buildings” in Firooz Abad palace, in Fars (See figures 2 and 3).

3. CHEGHAZANBIL BUILDING The wonderful Cheghazanbil building belongs to 1250 years B.C. It is located in “Haft Tape” in Khuzestan Prov- ince. This building is built in 5 stories. Its shape has not changed through years. The first story is in the shape of a square and is 105/20 ×105/20 meters wide. Every story had “Pasneshin” (indoors). This brick-made build- Keywords: Shahr e Sukhteh (Burnt Town), Takht e Jamshid, Hitra Palace, ing is 54 meters high. This building is known as “Ziggu- Firooz Abad Palace, Kasra arch. rat”. Cheghazanbil building has two underneath stories. These stories are where Ilami the Great and kings used International Journal of to pray. Stories have relationship with each other by a direct and long stair- 4. HAKHAMANESHI (ACHAEMENID) ERA AND TAKHT E JAM- International Journal of 34 Architectural Technology Architectural Technology 35 No : 1 / Autumn: 2012 way. An interesting “Kamani” arch is between the rims of the stairway. SHID WORKS No : 1 / Autumn: 2012 Point: This arch construction is assumed as an invention. It has been used Some interesting, magnificent and philosophically-rich works were built in arch elements in the world and has been very influential. These are the beside Rahmat Mountain in Marvdasht, in Fars Province. These works were Figure 6. Cheghazanbil: Nacreous Figure 4. Some parts of Cheg- empty glass pipes, Iran national hazanbil building (Ilami Era) characteristic features of that building: built during 550 B.C to 330 B.C. These buildings are based upon some museum 1. Lighting: There were some nacreous glass pipes pre- assigned or completed maps for the seventeenth which were placed on the surface of every Pasneshin palaces in Parsieh, Takhte Jamshid. These palaces (indoor) of the stories. were mostly made of stones and had baldchin ceil- 2. Big and thick written bricks with Ilami calligraphy ings. Their base was about 300×450 meters wide. (which is the root of cuneiform calligraphy) on their There were built on the mountain (Rahmat) slopes. thick parts, that shows the commands (laws) of that The distance between the yard and “Soffa” was as Era. These written bricks which are on the facades high as 110 stairs. The stairs were wide, short and of the building and between earth tables are very made of stone. Great sculptors such as “brave men interesting. with wings” which are in “nation’s gates”, and some 3. There were some glazed bricks in the canyons that very philosophical and magnificent shaped stones which belonged to Figure 7. Maze Dar arch lining (parabola), Shoosh (Ilami Era) prevented friction. different nations, in addition to some very elegant and unique clothing, 4. Ab Shishe is used in insulating the bases. This kind statures and some head and facial expressions were created in this Era. of damp insulating was unique with Iran. The pictures of queuing of Javidan soldiers, public levee of Daryoosh (and Remember: There was a platform in front of the build- other Hakhamaneshi kings) to governors and great men of the country ing which was an altar. In this altar, there was used an and nations’ heads in palaces also have been made. The show of horse- interesting bay which is technically called Noghooldar men, quadrupeds and kingdom thrones’ ornaments and many other things, with Haloochin arch. This kind of arch became the such as high column with axels between them, reveal the greatness of the basic of bays of Ivan Madaaeen in Sassanid Era (see palaces. Cow-shaped capitals and painted (engraved) long girders, (in all), figure 3). industry and stone carving art, created unique works which had no peer Furthermore, thirty meters from Cheghzanbil, crypts in other stone works appeared later in Greek, Rome, Eastern Rome, etc. of Ilami kings graves, with arch linings, remain in the form of Maze dar parabola. Point: The samples of Mazidar arches found in Shuooh

and belong to the Ilami Era are a kind of quite techni- 1. Entrance stairs Figure 8. Takht- e Jamshid gen- cal arch and arch lining. These arch linings are the 2. Nations’ gates eral plan, seventeenth palaces,… 3. Defending rampart northern (Hakhamaneshi Era) Figure 5. Cheghazanbil engraved bases of arch linings of Ashkani Era. (See figure 7). part written bricks 4. Not completed gate 5. Apadana 6. 100 column hall 7. Darius Palace 8. Third Ardeshir Palace 9. Central building 10. Indoors 11. First Ardeshir Palace 12. Khashayar Shah Palace 13. Central buildings 14. Ganj Khane 15. Defending rampart eastern part 16. Major southern entrance

Figure 9. Stone sculptors, stairway to Darius Palace; Takht e Jamshid (Hakhamaneshi Era) International Journal of Because these works had spiritual values. Wherever the spirituality exists, International Journal of 36 Architectural Technology Architectural Technology 37 No : 1 / Autumn: 2012 the art promotes; as in the cases of “Takht e Jamshid”, “Naghsh e Rostam”, No : 1 / Autumn: 2012 “Pasargad”, “shoosh”, etc. Unfortunately, Alexander, of the Macedonia Figure 13. blocked painted tiles, and Arabs’ invasions hurt many valuable works. However, many remaining lion with wings and horns; louver works show the insight, maturity, attention, feeling and art of a strong, wise museum, Paris (Hakhamaneshi Era) and civil nation. It also revealed the unique diplomacy of penetrated Darius, The great. These things are from different nations under the sovrenty of Iran. Remember: In addition to stonecutting art, pottery, tile maker’s craft, smoothing the skin, admiralty metal/ bronze making and gilding promoted very much in the Hakhamaneshi Era. These arts had attracted the atten- tion of great artists, scholars, historians, architects and all inquisitive people in the world.

5. ASHKANI ERA Because of the bitter accident of “the collapse of the ceiling of Takhte Jamshid because of fire”, arch lining was used in Ashkani Era (started at 250 B.C). We can see some samples of them in Nesa Palace in the southern Torkamanestan, the Palace and the Temple of Khaje Mountain Figure 14. A part of Anahita temple beside Hamoon Lake, Anahita Temple in Kangavar and Hitra (Alhazr) Palace, column wall, Kangavar (Ashkani Era) 3 kilometers from Dejle River, south of Mosel in Iraq and Ashkani Palace in central Iraq. Remember: Arch buildings of Ashkani Era were the bases of two and four porch- mosques, schools and caravanserais in “Post-Islam” Era. (See figures 14 and 15)

Figure 10. Stone – cutting, Darius 6. SASSANID ERA and his counselor’s figurine, Takht A very influential government governed Iran from 226 to 625 B.C. (about e Jamshid 526 years). This Era was like Hakhamaneshi Era with respect to glory and grandeur. The Sassanid progenitor was Ardeshir, who was called “Ardeshir e Babakan”. He was the son of Babak and the grandchild of Sassan, the greatest Zoroastrian priest of Anahita Temple. He knew himself as one grandchild of Hakhamaneshi kings. He built a brick-made well-designed palace in Firooz Abad, Fars, after taking the power, (In the beginning of third Figure 15. Hitra (Alhazr) arch pal- B.C century). The big hall of the palace is covered with ace, Mosel, Iraq (Ashkani Era) resistant blocked stones and high quality Gatch mortar and stretched circular arch. This mortar thickness was 13.5 meters. This kind of dome is known as the first lining arch dome in Iran. One of the features if this dome building is using “Shekonj Sazi and Feel poosh” (a kind of angle).This method is used for changing the 4 angles space to Paye Dayere for building the dome. This unique method became the basic of dome Figure 11. stone cutting, some building in Iran and was used later by other countries. Nation’s tribes are bringing some gifts to Darius courtyard; (Takht e Some other arch works are: Goordokhtar and Bisha- Jamshid) boor palaces (built by First Ardeshir) and Sarvestan palace (built by Fifth Bahram) (See figure 16) Remember: Industry improved very much in Sassanid Era. Different arts such as silversmith, gilding, potter- Figure 12. adobe painted tile, brave ing, ceramic making, etc. were made current in this men with wings; Iran national museum. (Hakhamaneshi Era). Era. For example, some very beautiful stature and International Journal of figure-like pictures (which were made of ceramic – some tiles which their Eastern Rome, Spain and many other European countries’ ceramic making International Journal of 38 Architectural Technology Architectural Technology 39 No : 1 / Autumn: 2012 size was 5 to 7 millimeters wide) were used for decorating the floor of the art. This kind of smoothing the skin is the basis of “Mosaic smoothing the No : 1 / Autumn: 2012 porch of Bishaboor Palace. skin” of “Post-Islam” Era. (See figures 17 and 18). Figure 17. Mosaic, the great Sas- Some samples of these figures are kept in Iran National Museum and Paris Kasra arch: Madaaeen magnificent palace was built when the first Kasra sanid man, from Bishaboor palace, Figure 16. internal part of Firooz Abad Iran national museum Louver Museum. This method of smoothing the skin took root in Rome, (Anooshirvan) was governing. In the center of this great and unique porch place dome, Fars (Sassanid Era) palace, and on its sides some “Noghool Sazi” were built which were very symmetrical. There are some eye-catching bays in the five stories. (The Opening of the Arch’s width is 25.5 meters, its height is 34 me- ters and its deepness is 42.95 meters). The Abbasid Caliph was jealous of Tisphoon Palace and its porch. So he ordered it to be destroyed. However, because the process of porch destruction took long time, and because of his minister medication, he stopped this obscene job. Ferdowsi, the great epic poet of the world, composed 53 clear verses about Madaaeen portico in Shahname, which are very interesting to hear. (“I am going to tell a story about (the most hon- est one, Khosro’s Ivan). This porch’s arch is composed of “Tokhm e Morghi, Beizavi and Sasanid” (egg / Oval) arches and has some layers of “Lapoosh”. It is said that this unique arch had no frame and was just built relying on its architect and builder’s experience. This porch is decorated with different construction materials, including marbles (which are used in dados); plaster works, geometrical figurines (in the body), wooden frames, leathers and figures (which showed the war between Anooshirvan (and Iran’s army) with Valerian, emperor of Rome. Iran won the war). All of these ornaments are removed except some plaster works, which are now held in some American galleries. Iranian famous poet and orator, Khaghani, wanted to visit Kasra Palace (arch) after haj pilgrimage. He com- posed a beautiful and bitter elegy about loneliness of this great porch, which bothers every patriot Iranian: O my heart, learn this lesson Beware of the eyes Take the Madaaeen porch as a warning mirror Go to Madaen through Tigris (See figure 19) The works of the flourishing Sassanid are numerous. One of them is “the International Siraph port” which was urbanized. It was the road by which Iran could establish connections with other countries (of that time) and was the center of business for Iran. This port was destroyed in a violent earthquake. The great adobe city, Bam Citadel (in Kerman) also was hurt in the scary earthquake. “Takht e Suleiman” system and its wonderful parts, (especially the beautiful lake in its middle) and also country palaces of the Sassanid period are very good to study. “Tagh e Bostan” (and

accuracy which is observed in mountains’ scraping for making huge inter- Figure 18. Mosaic, the great Sassa- nid lady, from Bishaboor palace, Iran esting double arches), stone-cuttings and sculptors (which their subjects national museum (Sassanid Era) International Journal of were hunting grounds, history, religion, etc. in mountainous areas) are also REFERENCES International Journal of 40 Architectural Technology Architectural Technology 41 No : 1 / Autumn: 2012 interesting. There are also some fire temples in “Takht e Suleiman”, “Baze ye 1. The writers information (used in the whole article) No : 1 / Autumn: 2012 Hoor” (in “Torbat e Heydariye”), “Razavi Khorasan” and “Niasar” (in Kashan). 2 & 3. “Getting familiar with historical works” (art major), Ministry of educa- Some Inns (such as remains of “Deir e Yasin”, “Davaze Gatch” in Fars, and tion, page 4: written by Seyyed Mahdi Mirdanesh 4. Some articles published in seminars about Shahr e Sukhteh: Cultural Inheritance Organ. Explanation: Shahr e Sukhteh is beside Hirmand River in Sistan o Bal- uchestan. This civil town was destroyed because of an earthquake and fire (which happened at the same time). Some valuable potteries and jugs full of “healthy grains and corns” were found in some archeological investiga- tions. These findings attracted the attention of UNESCO and Universal Foodstuffs. 5. “Iran’s Art Reference Book” written by Professor Andre Godar, translated by Dr. Behrooz Habibi, page 275, line 19 6. Kasra arch’s dimensions 5. “Iran’s Art Reference Book” written by Profes- sor Andre Godar, translated by Dr. Behrooz Habibi, page 261. Explanation: different numbers are mentioned in different scriptures. The

Figure 19. Kasra arch, Madaaeen numbers mentioned here are true. porch, Baghdad south “Anooshirvani” inn, between Semnan and Damghan, etc.) show the great (Sassanid Era). history, culture and civilization of Iran. Notes Figure 20. Two stone cut Sofe Archs, Bostan Arch+ sculpture 1. Baldachin roof: beam covered ceiling (second Ardeshir, “Ahooraee” posi- 7. CONCLUSION 2. Eskonj: angle making tion acquisition from Anahita and Mitra, Noor angel) Kermanshah Shahr e Sukhteh remains show that it has been a crowded city. Cheg- 3. Shekonj: Gowd angle making (Sassanid Era) hazanbil was a sacred place in which some spiritual customs were carried 4. Oshkoob: story on. The unique architectural works and stone-cuttings of the17th palaces 5. Ziggurat: a sky scraper building; a Sumeri word (Takhte Jamshid, Pasargad, Naghsh e Rostam, etc.) show the high values of 6. Nacreous empty glass pipes whose caliber was 37 millimeters and its civil and wise society of that time. These works are really unique. length was 70 centimeters. A type of these glasses is kept in Iran national Ashkani buildings which had some arches show the values of a thoughtful Museum. society. Sassanid works show the developed unique architectural methods 7. Written bricks: not baked/raw adobes are lithographed and splintered. of that time. Mountains’ stone – cuttings show the history and civilization of When they are baked, we have a written brick. 8. Parsie: Fars land, Pars 9. Ahooraee: divine 10. Some gold stone slabs are found in archeology investigations. They show Modern and proper rules for doing justice and considering every body’s rights and country ruling in all levels. 11. Noghool sazi: circular demicolumns joined to the building

Figure 21. A part of Tagh e Bostan stone – cutting, hunting ground; (Sassanid Era) Iran. Each architectural work has left priceless values for Iran and the whole

Figure 18. Mosaic, the great Sassa- world. nid lady, from Bishaboor palace, Iran Remember, each unique architectural work, belonging to “pre-Islam” pe- national museum (Sassanid Era) riod, had its own philosophy and method. Some works need much study- ing. Today, we can get some “national” ideas of “pre-Islam” works, like: Iran Central Bank’s facade and previous police Palace, etc.