The Sasanian Architecture at Lalar on the Seymareh River (Central Zagros)

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran. (Corresponding Author).

2 Associate Professor, Iranian Center for Archaeological Research (ICAR), Research Center for Historic Buildings and Cities, Research Institute for Cultural Heritage and Tourism (RICHT), Tehran, Iran.

3 Associate Professor, Research Center for Historic Buildings and Cities, Research Institute for Cultural Heritage and Tourism (RICHT), Tehran, Iran.

10.22084/nb.2023.27473.2561

Abstract

Spanning an estimated 15 hectares, Lalar is an archaeological site positioned on the western bank of the Seymareh River and halfway between Tang-e Cham Qole and Tang-e Kafarin. The outcomes of the excavation carried out at the site, with a specific focus on around 537 square meters of its central portion, demonstrated the existence of an ephemeral occupation level that was established and absconded shortly after its formation. The exposed architecture is characterized by gypsum-mortared limestone masonry. Apart from a general introduction of the site and a functional and chronological appraisal of the recovered historical contexts at Lalar in light of archaeological evidence and historical sources, the central aims of this research endeavor involve gaining a comprehensive understanding of the various factors that influenced the development of the site located on a riverbank surrounded by mountains and isolated from the main regional routes and natural passes. Furthermore, the study seeks to assess the construction quality of the excavated structures and their connections with architectural elements found in coeval sites within the region. In total, the characteristics of the discovered cultural material and the evaluation of the regional ecological and geographical features indicated close stylistic correspondence in both small finds (particularly the late Sasanian pottery) and architecture between Lalar and other centers dating to the late Sasanian until 9th century AD. In addition, Lalar’s architecture attests to a purely functional style absolutely lacking in any sort of decorations; a discrete, evanescent but massive constructional level presumably without any precedent or succedent. One may link Lalar to the end of the Sasanian period, which was marred by political instability caused by the failures of the ruling dynasty and the incursion of Muslim Arabs from the west. This resulted in the abandonment of once-thriving cities and the resettlement of populations in remote regions, as part of military restructuring in preparation for impending battles. Yet, the dynasty’s eventual downfall and the dominance of the Muslim invaders would lead to the desertion of such settlements (or perhaps temporary barracks). This paper draws on the data from fresh excavations.

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References

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Archaeological Research of Iran
Volume 15, Issue 45
English Issue
2025
Pages 133-155

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