Archive of SID 1 "Gūr-e Doḵtar: Parsi Art architecture style in Dashtestan" Hamed.Sharifian History teacher of Islamic Azad University / Majlesi branch. [email protected] Abstract Most of the art lovers and specialists of art history adore Parsi artist’s skills. Considerations of the history of architecture in "Parsi" style could instruct us towards the origin of this architectural style. The ancient "Dashtestan" region was residential from the old ages and considered as one of the bases of seafaring and cruising of "Achaemenian" government in "Pars sea" ( Persian Gulf ) in Acheamenian era. Parsi style architecture works are seen a lot in this region and "Gūr-e Doḵtar" is one of those examples there have been different views stated about this exclusive building. Some people regard this building as a tomb and some others consider it as temple. Although everybody agrees on relating this building to Achaemenian era, but there are no similar views and agreements about its precise age. Consideration of the architecture of this building shows that Dashtestan was the origin of Achaemenian civilization and studying this building that belongs to one of the ancestors of "Cyrus the great" (Cyrus the great ) makes us acquainted with the transient stage of the Art architecture of "Elamid" style to "Parsi" Art architecture style. Key words: Art architecture, Parsi style, Achaemenians, Dashtestan, Gūr-e Doḵtar. www.SID.ir Archive of SID 2 Gūr-e Doḵtar: Parsi architecture 1 in Dashtestan I. Introduction There are a lot of historical indications from Achaemenian era in Dashtestan region that include over 20 various buildings, namely "Sang-siah" (Black stone) palace, "Bardak-siah" (Black Barak) palace, "Charkhab" palace, "Tappeh-ee" (Hill) palace, "Shahouie" garden , "Maze-ee Shahriari" (Royal Maze-ee) palace, "Borg" (Tower) palace, "Mill" (Minaret) palace, and some others, but Gūr-e Doḵtar is the most prominent one among them. A question comes into mind by viewing Gūr-e Doḵtar that why Acheamenians have built a tomb like the tomb of Cyrus the great, in this place! Maybe the answer to this question refers to the origin of Acheamenians, since this region was the land of this dynasty and due to the following reasons, it could be realized that the original land of Acheamenians was in Dashtestan region. 1) The no of buildings in Dashtestan is more than the total of recognized buildings by Acheamenians in other regions including "Pasargadae" or "Parse" (Persepolis = Takht-e jamshid). 2) The type of architectural structures left in Dashtestan and especially in Gūr-e Doḵtar (by Acheamenians) are older than the Acheamenians recognized buildings in Pasargadae. 3) In contrast to the views of a lot of old researchers, regarding the immigration of "Aryans" and specially the Persians, there are stronger reasons and a new viewpoint about their non-immigrating status and there is an emphasis that Aryans are the oldest residents of Najd Iran and the Persians were the natives residing in "Fars", "KohKiloyeh-wa-Boyerahmhmad", "Boushehr" and the new region of "Khouzestan". 4) Sacracy of palam tree that is clearly observed in buildings and royal Acheamenians stamps, especially "Shah Daruis,s the great" stamp and it should be noted that there was no palam trees in Parse and Pasargadae regions, where the glory of Parsi architecture can be seen, while Dashtestan was the center of growing palm trees and producing dates. 5) Undoubtedly, if the Persian were in an immigrant tribe, the places that they lived in before should have been of great importance to them and at least a name of that place should be seen in their inscriptions. But it is only the name of Pars, written in the inscriptions that was important and sacred and maintained its prominence up to "Sassanid" era. Dashtestan was also a part of old "Pars Satrapy" (Pars State) and according to the structures of the Parsi architecture in Dashtestan, it could be believed that Acheamenians were the natives of these regions that moved to northern parts, in Pasargadae and Parse, when they gained more merits and authorities. 1. Chehelcheshmeh caves (author) 2. Royal stamp of Darius the great ("Baresi-haye- tarikhi" magazine) 1 In this research we have used the general principle of geographical & regional classification method by "Dr.Pirnia". Refer to: Parnia,M.K. 2008. www.SID.ir Archive of SID 3 I. Location of Dashtestan borough Dashtestan is situated in the east of Boushehr province, among "Giskan" heights and "Kazeroun", "Pars Sea" (Persian Gulf) and "Dalakky" river, and its population is "226,905". This borough is established by 6 central districts of "Borazjan, "Ab – Bakhsh", "Eram", "Boushkan", "Sa'adabad" and "Shabankareh" (Hajipour, 2001, 43). "Chehel-cheshmeh" caves with the history of more than some ten thousand years indicate that Dashtestan was a residing place in ancient times.2 This region maintained its importance during "Elamid" and then "Acheamenian" era, and existence of the famous city of "Ta-o-ce", Strabo writes: "A palace in Gabay (Isfahan) situated over the lands of pars and a palace constructed near sea shore, named Taoce" (Strabo, 2003, 318). Or "Ta-mu-kkan", in the inscription L-2 of Persepolis Fortification Tablet is written: "350 (BAR) grain, supplied by Missumanda, Turmirriyan workers (who) went across from Metezzis to Tamukkan, received as rations of the ninth month…", (Arfaee, 2008, 151) written in Acheamenian inscriptions, indicate the matter. Arfaee knows the place of Tanukkan in Nourabad and Mamasani (Arfaee, 2008) Cook regards Taoce as Charkhab Palace in Borazjan (Cook, 2005, 126-127); that was discovered by "Sarfaraz" in 1971 (Sarfaraz, & ct al. 2010, 46-50.); "H.M.Koch" regards Taoce as "Batlamius" Taoce (Geography, book 4th - item 4th) That is situated in Borazjan (Koch, 2008, 83-84); "P.Brian" considers Cyrus the great as the founder Taoce (Brian, 2008, 1580); Gh.H.Nezami recognizes Taoce as the Black Bardak (Bardak siah) Palace in the village of Doroud-gah in Borazjan, that Darius spent some time in it (Nezami, 2009, 3); Atabakzadeh identifies Tamukkan in Borazjan (Atabakzadeh, 1994, 54). II. History mound of graves These types of graves are quite old in Iran. The first example of such graves is discovered in "Sialk" Hills in Kashan. Mainly the graves of aristocrats and wealthy people in Sialk were the "Pits" dug in the ground and when the dead body was put in one, than his belongings were put beside him and was covered by earth, such that the grave was bulged from the ground. Then stone slabs were put on it, in such a way that a projection could be observed (Girshman,R. 1964, 9-10). 3. projected graves of sialk (Girshman) A projected roof belonging to Elamid era is situated in "Kha'rk" island that is considered among the oldest building of that era. The natives call this building as "Gūr-e Do Doḵtar" (or two girls Tomb). The architectural style of it belonged to common Elami styles in mountains. The main structure is done by stone. Elams farmers used to build their tombs with cresental roof, by brick and mud-bricks, as observed in the discoveries in "Dur-un-tash" in shush and "Tepp-ti-Ahar" tomb in "Haft-Tappeh" (Majidzadeh, 2007, 75 & Amiet, 2005, 56). But the graves in the mountain were built in projected and bulged shape (Sarfaraz & Taymouri, 2004, 41). 2 The author has seen the caves in March.2010 and prepared same photographs. Tunnels in mauti-storey layers within the mountain of soft and compact soil that all are dug by human beings and connected to each other. The cause caused the wonder of every viewer. www.SID.ir Archive of SID 4 4. "Gūr-e Do Doḵtar" (Two girls tomb - khark island - 5."Gūr-e Do Doḵtar" (Two girls tomb) - Khark island- (A.A. Sarfaraz) (A.A.sarFaraz) 6.Elamid Project (bulged) graven in mountain – (A.A Sarfaraz) Some bulged style graves are on the slope of the mountain in "Siraf" that could be compared with projected graves of Acheamenian era (Girshman, 1967, 230). Even the roof of the tomb of "Darius the great", in "Naghsh-e Rostam", is in projected style (Sarfaraz, 2009, 47). 7.Siraf – (Author) 8. Siraf – (Author) Some researchers believe that Gūr-e Doḵtar and Cyrus the great (Cyrus the great) tombs are originated from "Urartoy,s" civilization, especially from "Mosasir" temple (Mashkour, 1966, 45-46). Existence of projected graves in pre-Achaemenian civilizations are proved and construction of high buildings with platforms and stairways goes back to a very old age and we could observe am example of them in "Ziggurat" building in "Chogha-zanbil", in shush. It can www.SID.ir Archive of SID 5 therefore be realized that "Urartoids" have copied this style of architecture from the Iranians that were pioneers in this regard. Most probably the architects of Gūr-e Doḵtar and Cyrus the great tomb were Elams. In fact, it can be presumed that Elamis were the founders of Parsi style architecture and Gūr-e Doḵtar is considered the transient stage from Elami style to the Parsi style. II. Gūr-e Doḵtar "Gūr-e Doḵtar3 is one of the historical places that are of great importance, architecturally. This building is located in "Posht-par" (= BOZPĀR) village, in between a green and narrow plain, named "Tang-e Eram" in Dashtestan borough and in a non-crowded place. "Shahbazi" describes it as "Simple and glorious" (Shahbazi, 2009, 47) Similar to the tomb of Cyrus the great, Gūr-e Doḵtar is situated in the middle of a flat valley and not far from the path between the surrounding hills and in comparison to the large dimensions of Cyrus tomb that is suddenly appears in front of one's eyes, Gūr-e Doḵtar is so.