Exploring the Climatic Adaptability at the Median Complex of Nush-i Jan

Abstract
The climatic adaptability of an ancient building’s architecture can be studied by utilizing various scientific disciplines such as archaeology, architecture, geography, applied climatology, and paleoclimatology. By conducting studies on the religious complex of Nush-i Jan in the Malayer Plain, which dates to the Median Period, we can expand our understanding of the architectural practices during that era. This current research aims to address three main questions: 1) What were the physical components of Nush-i Jan complex that allowed it to adapt to the climatic conditions? 2) How effective were these components in addressing the aforementioned issue? And 3) What were the non-physical heating or cooling arrangements implemented in the complex? Through library and field methods, the essential data has been collected. The analysis was conducted using four software applications - AutoCAD, Climate Consultant, Ecotect, and DesignBuilder - in the energy and architecture domains. The information has been processed using a descriptive-analytical approach. The architectural components of the complex, such as its orientation towards the south with an east-west extension, high building density and height, narrow passages and courtyards, mud-brick walls, wooden beam roofs, entrance doors for most of the spaces, side windows in the eastern and southern walls, ventilators, counters at the entrances of most of the buildings, and two fire-places in the guard room of the fort, play crucial roles in utilizing solar heat and minimizing the impact of cold winds. These elements ensure that the residents’ heating needs are met from May to September and partially during other months, while also addressing cooling requirements on hot days. However, additional heating sources were necessary during most hours from October to May (3153 hours in total); in other words, heating production was needed. It is possible that non-physical heating methods, like the tramrails used in the Assyrian imperial palaces, were employed by the inhabitants. Finally, the complex’s climatic adaptability to the Malayer Plain, along with appropriate heating and cooling strategies, have guaranteed the residents’ thermal comfort.
Keywords: Median Architecture, Nush-I Jan Tepe, Thermal Comfort, Climatic Adaptability, Environmental Archaeology.
Introduction
Since favorable climatic conditions are an important factor in the formation and continuation of human life throughout history, it was necessary to take measures to make the establishment of human societies suitable. The selection of the location of the establishment hinges on a comprehensive and precise understanding of the climatic conditions of the desired region’s annual, seasonal, monthly, and daily fluctuations. Archaeological evidence and data indicate that this awareness has been present since prehistoric times, and efforts have been made to maximize the utilization of nature and mitigate the adverse effects of its risks on human life. With the formation of the first villages, buildings were gradually made in a way to adapt to the climatic conditions of the surrounding environment throughout the year, by adopting cooling and heating measures. The extent of these arrangements broadened in the post-prehistoric era as permanent settlements expanded geographically.
The limited historical records and archaeological findings pertaining to the Median civilization have left many uncertainties surrounding various aspects of their society, particularly in terms of architecture. The well-preserved architectural complex at Nush-i Jan Tepe in the Malayer Plain serves as a valuable source of information on the architectural practices of the Median Period and their adaptability to climatic conditions. It is essential for architectural structures to be designed in accordance with the local climate to ensure the thermal comfort of the residents. In cases where natural adaptability is insufficient, heating and cooling systems are implemented to regulate the temperature within the buildings. This study aims to investigate the architectural elements and heating/cooling strategies employed in the Nush-i Jan in response to the climatic conditions of the Malayer Plain.
The examination of ancient architecture’s ability to adapt to different climates and its cooling and heating systems can be explored through the fields of archaeology, architecture, geography, applied climatology, and paleoclimatology. The analysis of energy usage in ancient structures falls under the domain of “Environmental Archaeology,” a branch of archaeology. Given the limited research on historical and prehistoric buildings in Iran, this study marks the initial steps towards such investigations and can be extended to include other architectural structures from the Median Period, as well as prehistoric, Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sasanian buildings. By focusing on Nush-i Jan complex as a remnant of the Median religious complex, this study can provide valuable insights into the architecture of the Median Period and other times and places with similar climatic conditions to the Malayer Plain.
Questions and Hypotheses: The current research seeks to evaluate three main questions: 1) What were the physical components of Nush-i Jan complex that allowed it to adapt to the climatic conditions? 2) How effective were these components in addressing the aforementioned issue? And 3) What were the non-physical heating or cooling arrangements implemented in the complex?
Research Method: The evidence in this research was collected using library and field methods. The Analysis was done using softwares in the fields of energy and architecture. These materials were then processed in a descriptive-analytical manner (Fig. 1). Initially, a thorough examination of the Nush-i Jan complex, which holds significance in architectural discourse, was carried out. In cases where necessary, reconstruction was undertaken based on available evidence and utilizing software tools. The architectural remains of the complex were reconstructed in 3-d using AutoCAD, and subsequently analyzed by DesignBuilder to align with the research objectives. To facilitate this research, a comprehensive understanding of the region’s long-term climatic conditions was essential. Consequently, the climatic fluctuations of the Malayer Plain were studied within the time frame of 1997-2022 AD, and the required raw climatic data were extracted using Climate Consultant software via the EnergyPlus web portal. This portal sources its information from weather stations’ recorded data. Subsequently, the obtained information was inputted into DesignBuilder software, enabling the generation of quantitative and graphical outputs pertaining to the relationship between the aforementioned data and the thermal comfort of the residents. Additionally, paleoclimatological studies of the Median Period were explored in this context. Based on the analysis of the climatic conditions of the mentioned plain and the thermal comfort of its inhabitants, the adaptability of both physical and non-physical components of the complex was investigated. To determine the optimal orientation of the usage area, Ecotect software was employed, and its output was compared with the modeling in DesignBuilder software.
Analysis of the Climatic Adaptability of Nush-i Jan Complex
The analysis of the climatic conditions of Malayer Plain and the thermal comfort of its residents indicates a greater need to focus on heating measures rather than cooling measures in the architectural design of buildings in the area. Natural heating methods, such as utilizing sunlight and minimizing the impact of cold winds, help alleviate cold stress for residents from May to September and some hours on other days throughout the year. Cooling strategies, including shading and natural ventilation, offer thermal comfort from June to September and there is no need for cooling during the other days of the year. Considering these factors and the traditional architecture of Malayer Plain, the complex is strategically oriented to maximize sunlight exposure and shield against unfavorable monsoon winds from the south. The east-west elongation of the complex ensures efficient absorption of solar energy while reducing the impact of adverse winds. 
As the complex was constructed over time, the high density and height of the buildings have given rise to passages and two small and narrow courtyards in the east and south. This has led to a decrease in the space available for movement of unfavorable winds, along with shading on openings on hot days, resulting in challenges in the narrow passages. The utilization of clay in constructing walls and forming a thick, flat covering of beams with excellent capacity and thermal delay has effectively minimized heat loss during cold days and decreased heat penetration from the outside on hot days within buildings. By installing entrance doors and side windows at specific heights on the south (optimal direction in the region) or east (maximum sunlight in the region) sides of buildings, the interior temperature can be optimized. This setup promotes warmth during cold days and natural ventilation during hot days. It is common practice to keep doors closed and windows and vents blocked in colder weather. Moreover, having counters at building entrances aids in regulating indoor air quality.
Conclusion
The application of solutions to the architectural design during the majority of the hours from October to May, totaling 3153 hours, falls short in providing adequate thermal comfort for the residents of the complex. As a result, additional heat production is required. The remains of two fireplaces were found in the counter of the fort building, but no other similar structures, like those found in the third layer of Baba Jan Tepe in Luristan, have been identified. Therefore, it is likely that the inhabitants utilized portable metal braziers, similar to the Assyrian types, to generate the necessary heat. Ultimately, the current research demonstrates that the architects of Nush-i Jan possessed ample knowledge regarding various aspects of the local climate and implemented heating and cooling measures to ensure the thermal comfort of the residents throughout different months of the year.