An ancient structure, supposedly a mosque, has been recently unearthed during archaeological field research in Arjan historical site in Behbahan County, Khuzestan Province.
Following the identification of the layout of a mosque-like structure in aerial and satellite images from Arjan historical site in the county, which had similarities with what had been described as Arjan Mosque in historical texts, heritage officials started a three-phase investigation in the area, resulting in the recent discovery, CHTN reported.
According to Ehsan Yaghmaei, research team director, some parts of the structure had resurfaced during the first phase of field investigations.
“There are similarities between the discovered parts and the features of the early Islamic period [7th century] architecture, suggesting that the structure dates back to that time.”
The team started work by digging trenches in the site, gradually advancing the excavations. In one of the trenches, parts of the outdoor space and the surrounding porticos were discovered.
The team continued digging and when the trenches were connected, they found a square shape space, supposedly the main and central building of the mosque, Yaghmaei said.
“Two tombs of unknown people and numerous column feet, built of stone and plaster, were later discovered around the square-shaped area, raising the possibility that the structure has once been a mosque.”
There is also another square structure inside the main building, whose function is yet to be found out.
“Numerous craters found around the main space are most probably where columns had been standing; the columns must have been despoiled through the time.”
Hallmarks of Period Style
Multiple pillars supporting the ceiling and forming porticos are special architectural features used in Khorasani style, a late 7th century trend of the art.
Furthermore, Yaghmaei said, there are more items, including pieces of clay dishes mostly dating back to the 7th to 11th centuries. “So it can be estimated that the mosque belongs to that time.”
According to the expert, more accurate age of the mosque will be determined in the second phase of the investigations, “when it is more likely that the team will find an epigraph or note describing the structure.”
The main objective of the first phase of the archaeological studies was to identify architectural features, draw a comparison between the discovered mosque and others in the same era and give an approximate estimation of the building’s age, he added.
There are speculations that Imam Reza (PBUH), the eight Shia Imam, had once prayed in the mosque, though proving their validity needs more study of history.
Arjan site was once home to the ancient pre-Iranian civilizations in the Elamid period (2700 – 539 BC), making it a valuable historical treasure today.
