Reconsidering the Historical Trajectory of Old Dehdasht: Formation and Decline through the Lens of the Citadel’s Archaeology

Authors

1 Ph.D in Archaeology, The Expert of Faculty Members Affairs and Board of Trustees, Yasouj University, Yasuj, Iran (Corresponding Author).

2 Assistant Professor, Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

The citadel of a city is not only regarded as a defensive and governmental center, but it also narrates a significant part of the political, cultural, and social history of that city. Citadels, as symbols of authority, have always played an influential role in cultural and commercial interactions. Considering that one of the most important physical elements of historical cities is the citadel, which constitutes the ruling and administrative quarter, understanding the origins of urban formation and the role of cities in the political-administrative and social life of each region depends on recognizing this structural element. The historical analysis of the formation, prosperity, and decline of the old city of Dehdasht, along with the study of various architectural aspects and the significance of archaeological findings from its historical citadel, has made this research necessary. During the years 1399 and 1401 (2020 and 2022), two excavation and survey seasons were conducted at the historical citadel of Dehdasht with the aim of identifying its towers and fortifications. In addition to architectural remains, a very small number of potsherds from historical periods and various types of Islamic-period ceramics were discovered. The present study seeks to answer two questions concerning the history of the formation, prosperity, and collapse of the city and its citadel: 1. Based on historical written sources and comparison with archaeological findings, to which period does the historical citadel of Dehdasht -as the most important structural element of the city-belong, and what was the process of its formation, expansion, and destruction? 2. Based on archaeological findings from excavations in the citadel of Dehdasht, as well as the study of ancient texts, what were the cultural and economic interactions of the district (rustaq) of Baladshapur, centered on Dehdasht, in the Kuhgiluyeh region with other areas? The data collection method of this research is field-based and documentary, and the research approach is descriptive-analytical and historical-analytical. The study of architectural remains and archaeological findings, including ceramics, indicates that the historical citadel had been inhabited at least since the 4th century AH (10th century CE) and was rebuilt at least three times until the mid-Qajar period. Historical sources and archaeological evidence, such as ceramic finds, demonstrate that this city maintained transregional exchanges with various regions of Iran, including Isfahan, Mashhad, and Kerman, and even with distant countries such as China, India, and Europe.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Archaeological Research of Iran
Volume 15, Issue 47
English Issue
2026
Pages 279-311

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