An Investigation of Central Asian Fire-altar Typology from the 5thto the 8thCentury A.D

Articles in Press

Authors

1 Department of Archaeology, University of Neyshabur

2 Master in archaeology, University of Neyshabur

10.22084/nb.2024.29594.2689

Abstract

One of the oldest beliefs in the ancient world is fire worship. This ancient belief probably dated back to prehistory societies and later entered Zoroastrian society and became one of the key and inseparable elements of this religion. Based on archaeological data and linguistic studies, Zoroastrian religion probably dated back to the second millennia B.C.of the Central Asia. Although there is no accurate information about the structure of the early Zoroastrian fire-altars, fire temples and fire-altars developed a structured form with the advent of the historical period which also coincided with the spread of Zoroastrianism. In this research, in addition to the typology of fire-altars of Central Asia, the formal changes of Zoroastrian fire-altars from the 5th to the 8th century A.D. have been investigated and studied. In this regard, two questions can be asked: What types of fire-altar were used in Central Asia during the period considered in this research? And, what were the formal changes of these fire-altars from the 5thcentury A.D. to the early Islamic centuries? In order to answer the proposed questions, a descriptive-analytical method has been used. In addition, the application of Archaeological data along with comparative study is the approach of the present paper to answer the research questions. The results of this research shows that the fire-altars of Central Asia had four different but contemporaneous formal patterns, between the 5thand 8th centuries A.D.: 1) Parasol-shaped fire-altars, 2) columned fire-altars, 3) hourglass-shaped fire-altars, and 4) schematized fire-altars. These fire-altars often had base, column, capital, and brazier, and were made in two types, portable and fixed. Finally, the decoration of the fire-altar with all kinds of geometric, plant, and symbolic motifs, while confirming its aesthetic aspect, indicates the existence of a spiritual space, along with conveying a feeling of liveliness and vitality to the worshiper.

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Main Subjects

pazhoheshha-ye Bastan shenasi Iran

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 13 October 2024

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