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Nasrollah Ebrahimi, Mostafa Dehpahlavan, Kurosh Mohammadkhani,
year 4, Issue 11 (6-2020)
Abstract

Abstract
The discovery of three outstanding Achaemenid buildings in Borazdjan Plain territory, such as “Charkhab”, “Sang-Siyah” and “Bardak-Siyah”, unveiled a new domain in the archaeological study of the Persian Gulf hinterlands and in the Achaemenid era. Excavation in the surrounding areas of these three buildings in two courses in the years of the decades 1350s and 1380s, led to the expsition of their different parts and architectural details. The presence of remarkable Achaemenid architectural elements including the central columned hall, lateral pillared porches and stone column pedestals, as well as the locality situations of the palaces on the plain and peripheral areas of the permanent “Dalaki” and “Shapur” and the seasonal “Ardu”rivers, made new theories possible about the quality and the reason of choosing the location and the erection of a government edifice in the Achaemenid era, while putting forward some general questions about the spatial structure of each palace. Because of the roughcast excavations, our information about the spatial extent of the unearthed collections is quite incomplete. In “Charkhab” site, for being in the vicinity of the seasonal “Ardu” river, there has been more than 1.5 meters of sedimentation which makes it difficult to access Achaemenid findings. So we decided to use new archaeological methods especially archeo-geophysical survey to study around the site and then continue the excavation around the palace according to the results obtained. So, in the first step, the western and north-western fronts with the extent of 13 hectares were surveyed archeo-geophysically using a magnetometric method and according to the outputs and the final produced map and the scatteration of exposed anomalies, some locations were determined for trenches and excavation. According to the maps obtained through magnetometry, some trenches were selected in zones where the abundance of anomalies was evident. In total, two trenches CH II and CH III, each with the dimension of 10×10 were excavated, while most findings were obtained from an Achaemenid leyer in trench CH III in the depth of 153 cm, where items such as baked bricks with the dimension 32×32×8 with bitumen mortar similar to those of Charkhab Palace, gate-pivot stones and pillar foundations worked with raw stone, pieces of cream colored pedestal stones and the most important of all, pieces of cornoture with horizontal strings similar to that of “Bardak-Siyah” Palace and  the specific palace of Cyrus at Pasargadae, can be mentioned
Keywords: Borazjan, Charkhab Palace, Archaeogeophysical Survey, Magnetometry, Excavation of Charkhab Site.

Introduction
Describing the importance of the Persian Gulf and its geopolitical role in the Achaemenid period, Herodotus describes the actions of “Scyllax Cariandi” and the order of Darius II to identify a sea route from the Indus River in India to Egypt, which was used by Indians and Iranians (Herodoutus, 1828: 289). 
In addition, other well-known historians and geographers of the early Christian centuries, such as Strabo, Arian, and Ptolemy, mentioned the Persian Gulf with titles such as “Persicon Kitas” and “Sinus Persicus”. 
The commercial prosperity of its shores is described in interaction with the West and the East. (Bayat, 1988: 28). 
Generally speaking, it can be inferred that the northern shores of the Persian Gulf inspecial, were of great importance during the Achaemenid period and later, and the construction of magnificent architectural works and government landmarks have not been unexpected.
The discovery of the remains of three outstanding Achaemenid landmarks in Borazjan plain titled “Charkhab”, “Sang-e Siah” and “Bardak-Siah”, opened a new chapter in the archaeological studies of the Persian Gulf and the Achaemenid history as well.
Excavation of these buildings during two seasons in the 1350s and 1380s, led to the discovery of various sections and their architectural components. 
Considering the presence of prominent elements of Achaemenid architecture, including the central columned hall, the side columned porches and stone pillars, along with the location of these palaces in the plains and the banks of Dalki and Shapur rivers and the seasonal Ardo valley, it has been tried to provide a definitive answer to existing questions and hypotheses based on current studies in this article. 
Asking general questions about the spatial structure of each of these palaces, provided new insights into how and why to choose a location and build a government building during the Achaemenid period. 
An important question in this field is whether these palaces were only used as summer accommodation facilities or they have been used as government seats.
Hypotheses in this study, basically suggest that the development of maritime trade, offshore communication routes, as well as suitable environmental structures and facilities, have led to the Achaemenid settlements in Borazjan plain. 
Achaemenid palaces discovered in Borazjan plain are part of the urban structures in that period. Some Achaemenid relics discovered, such as the Charkhab Palace, might have been left incomplete due to improper site selection and unsuitable location.
Architectural structures and spatial analyzes of the sites discovered in the Borazjan plain, are probably modeled on the architecture of the earlier Achaemenid culture in Pasargadae.
Studies of the surroundings of these sites show that there are other spaces related to the palaces. Based on geophysical studies as well as archaeological surveys around the sites, it can be imagined that these palaces were a collection. Further information on this subject, needs further archeological excavations and research.
One of the most important Achaemenid buildings on the northern hinterlands of the Persian Gulf is Charkhab Palace, which was accidentally discovered in 1350, during the bulldozing operations of water transfer pipeline from Borazjan to Bushehr, through the date palm groves on the western suburb outskirts of Borazjan and in the so-called “Charkhab area”.  
After preliminary investigations and the similarity of the discovered structure with the stone columns used in Pasargadae, it was decided to explore the place of discovery. The result of this excavation led to the appearance of different parts of the remains of a magnificent Achaemenid building (Sarfaraz, 1350 and 1351; Ebrahimi, 1391). Simultaneously with the excavation of Charkhab site and following the public reports that similar relics were found close a nearby village called Jatut / Jatal; Sarfaraz was able to discover another building on the banks of Dalaki River called Sang-e Siyah, about nine kilometers north of Charkhab. 
This site was excavated in 1977 by Ismail (Ehsan) Yaghmaei (Yaghmaei, 2005: 9-11; 2018: 191-196; Ebrahimi, 2012). 
During the exploration of the Sang-e Siyah remains and in the surrounding areas and palm groves, the excavations led to the discovery of another building called “Bardak Siyah” which means “the black stone”, among the palm groves of Dorudgah village. 
Yaghmaei explored the building and continued his excavations during the winter and the spring of 1978 (Yaghmaei, 2005; 1397; Ebrahimi, 2012). 
In the 2001s, with the resumption of archeological activities in Bushehr province, the Charkhab building, which had been buried under the flood deposits after the first exploration period, was excavated again by Sarfaraz in five consecutive seasons. 
In addition to the sections that were appeared earlier, some other new parts of the building became visible again. (Sarfaraz, 2001; 2003; 2004; 2005; 2006).
Due to unfinished excavations, our knowledge of the spatial extent of these collections is very limited. 
In the Charkhab area, the settled sediments are more than 1.5 meters high, due to its proximity to the Ardo seasonal river. This has made it difficult to obtain necessary findings from the Achaemenid period.
The study of archeogeophysics today, plays a crucial role in identifying the points and structures of ancient layers.
Using this methodology, saves time and also achieves the desired results much faster, much easier and much more accurately.
Therefore, we decided to use these new archeological methods, especially archaeogeophysical surveys, to conduct research around this area, and based on the results of these studies, to continue exploring around the palace.
Therefore, in the first place, the western and northwestern fronts of the palace, with an area of 13 hectares, were examined by magnetometric archeogeophysics, which revealed the dispersion of anomalies according to the output and finalized maps, and places for trenches and excavations were determined.
According to magnetic output maps, trenches were selected in areas where the abundance of anomalies was apparent.
Totally, two trenches ChII and ChIII with dimensions of 10 x 10 were excavated and most findings were obtained in trench ChIII at a depth of 153 cm and in an Achaemenid layer. 
In the cultural findings of the recent excavation in Charkhab, paddy parts of the columns with cream-colored strings are important.
Examples found in Bardak Siyah and Sang-e Siyah, are also comparable to the example of the private palace of Cyrus the Great in Pasargadae.
These paddy parts are quite different from the paddy parts obtained in Charkhab Palace (ChI), which are round and black without any carvings.
It seems that this collection (ChIII) is similar in architectural elements to those of Bardak Siyah and Sang-e Siyah palaces and those of the private palace of Cyrus the Great in Pasargadae.
The cream-colored base stone of the gateway as well as the foundations of the columns found in the ChIII trench are similar to those of Charkhab(ChI) and Bardak Siyah palaces.
The bricks obtained with  the dimensions of 33 x 33 x 8 cm and bitumen mortar in this trench are comparable to those found in the palaces discovered in Borazjan.
Given the architectural elements obtained, it is possible that this complex had been built earlier than the Charkhab Palace (ChI) itself.
Undoubtedly, more studies and more extensive research are needed to answer all the hypotheses and questions.

Asadallah Jodaki Azizi, Seyyed Rasool Mosavi Haji, Sahar Abdolahi, Afshin Ebrahimi,
year 9, Issue 32 (8-2025)
Abstract

Abstract
Iranian architects often designed structures to serve multiple functions beyond their primary purpose, a practice heavily influenced by Iran’s hot, arid climate and long summers. This multi-functionality is most evident in water-associated architecture, particularly in Isfahan’s historical bridges. Despite extensive research on Isfahan’s architecture, this specific aspect of its bridges has been understudied. This research aims to re-examine the non-transportation functions of four Isfahan bridges: Pol-e Shahrestan/Ji, Pol-e Allah-Verdi Khan/Si-o-se-pol, Pol-e Khaju/Shahi, and Pol-e Jubi/Sa’adat-Abad, highlighting their role in ceremonial and environmental landscape architecture. Main Research Question and Hypothesis: The study investigates how and why ceremonial functions were integrated into these bridges. It hypothesizes that this practice was inspired by Indian Jal Mahals (water palaces), introduced to Iran via extensive political and cultural exchanges during the Safavid era. Research Method: This study employs a historical-descriptive approach, with data gathered through documentary research and analysis of historical sources and travelogues. The findings indicate that while the concept of ceremonial water pavilions (Cheshmeh Emarat in Iran, Jal Mahal in India) pre-existed, its application on bridges was an innovation in Safavid Iran. The bridges served as ceremonial platforms for royal events like the Abrizan (Water Sprinkling Festival), receptions for ambassadors, and public spectacles. Furthermore, they played a crucial role in microclimate moderation by creating reservoirs that increased humidity and helped recharge underground aquifers, addressing critical environmental needs of the capital city.
Keywords: Historical Bridges, Cheshmeh Emarat, Safavid Isfahan, Jal Mahal, Ceremonial Architecture, Landscape Architecture.

Introduction 
This paper explores the multi-functional design of Safavid-era bridges in Isfahan, which extended beyond mere river crossings to incorporate significant ceremonial and environmental roles. This architectural ingenuity was a direct response to Iran’s challenging arid climate and the socio-political ambitions of the Safavid court. The study focuses on how the bridges Pol-e Shahrestan, Allah-Verdi Khan, Khaju, and Jubi were integrated into the urban and royal landscape. While the paradigm of the water pavilion (Cheshmeh Emarat) was known in Persian and Indian (Jal Mahal) architecture, its adaptation onto bridge structures represents a unique Safavid development. This research addresses a gap in the existing literature by systematically analyzing these bridges not just as feats of engineering, but as central elements of ceremonial life and environmental engineering in the capital.

Materials and Methods 
This research is based on a historical-interpretive methodology. Data was collected through meticulous documentary research, including analysis of primary sources like European travelogues (e.g., by Chardin, Tavernier) and Safavid chronicles. Secondary sources encompass modern scholarly works on Safavid architecture and urbanism. Architectural analysis was conducted by examining historical plans, photographs, and existing structures to understand the form and function of the pavilions. The comparative method is used to draw parallels between the Iranian Cheshmeh Emarat and the Indian Jal Mahal tradition, tracing potential routes of cultural and architectural influence during the 17th century.

Data and Findings 
The investigation reveals distinct evolutionary stages:
• Pol-e Shahrestan: An older bridge onto which an octagonal pavilion (Hasht Behesht plan) was added during the Safavid period, representing an architectural annexation rather than an original design.
• Pol-e Allah-Verdi Khan (Si-o-se-pol): Built by Shah Abbas I, its primary function was connectivity. Ceremonial activities were initially held in the vaulted spaces beneath the bridge deck due to structural constraints, serving as a royal loge for the Abrizan festival and receiving dignitaries.
• Pol-e Khaju: Constructed by Shah Abbas II, it represents the pinnacle of this integration. Two central pavilions (Beyglarbeygi), adapting the Hasht Behesht plan to the bridge’s axis, were purpose-built as ceremonial platforms. The bridge could be dammed to create a vast lake for boating, fireworks, and reflections of upstream palaces like Ayeneh-Khaneh.
• Pol-e Jubi: This bridge provided private access to royal gardens. It featured a central pavilion (now destroyed, but documented in European engravings) similar to the one on Pol-e Shahrestan, offering the royal family a secluded vantage point.

Discussion 
The findings confirm the hypothesis that the sophisticated development of bridge-pavilions in Safavid Isfahan was influenced by cultural and political exchanges with the Indian subcontinent, where the Jal Mahal tradition was well-established. The Safavids adeptly synthesized this influence with pre-existing Iranian concepts like the Cheshmeh Emarat and the ancient Abrizan festival. This discussion argues that these structures were not merely aesthetic additions but vital components of urban infrastructure. They served as instruments of royal propaganda, stages for displaying sovereign power to both the public and foreign emissaries. Furthermore, the creation of artificial lakes through damming was a brilliant hydrological strategy. It addressed Isfahan’s environmental needs by significantly moderating the microclimate through evaporative cooling and critically recharging the subterranean aquifers that supplied the city’s water via qanats.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the historical bridges of Safavid Isfahan exemplify a profound integration of multifunctional design. Iranian architects, responding to climatic necessities and royal ambition, masterfully extended the function of these structures from mere utilities to complex ceremonial platforms and environmental regulators. The practice of adding pavilions to older bridges or incorporating them into new designs was a strategic innovation in the landscape architecture of the era. While inspired by the Indian Jal Mahal, the Safavid implementation on bridges was an original contribution. These structures became iconic urban elements, central to the city’s public ceremonies and essential to its ecological balance. They stand as testament to a holistic architectural vision where utility, ceremony, and environmental technology were seamlessly woven together, defining the grandeur of Isfahan as a Safavid capital.

Sanam Janani, Mehdi Razani, Hadi Ebrahimi,
year 9, Issue 32 (8-2025)
Abstract

Abstract
Damage to cultural artifacts after discovery occurs due to various factors. One of these harmful cases is moisture originating from underground water, which appears as soil moisture, and over time, due to the oxidation process and the salts and ions in the water, as well as the incompatible pH of the environment with the texture and construction of the artifacts, it aggravates the process of destruction. In line with the mission of archaeometry as a bridge between archeology and other sciences, hydrogeology is used in this study in order to protect ancient artifacts. Iron Age Museum of Tabriz is located in the central area of the city and among the young Quaternary sediments that form the free aquifer of Tabriz. Underground water is one of the main factors causing corrosion and decay in the bones in this museum site. There are various solutions for lowering the water table locally, which according to the location coordinates and technical requirements of the site, the best method is to use underground water pumping. In this study, by using the available data in the study zone which is taken from the Tabriz urban train project and the data obtained from the Regional Water Company of East Azarbaijan, by using computer methods, the appropriate amounts of water pumping have been simulated according to the optimal water level drop and We define the placement of bones in a dry position. The use of new sciences for archeometric purposes is the main goal of this study and an attempt is made to solve the problem of destruction of ancient bones by establishing this connection.
Keywords: Conservation, Groundwater, Pumping Well, Soil Moisture, Tabriz Iron Age Museum.

Introduction
The discovery of ancient bones belonging to the Iron Age of the first and second millennium BC in the area of Tabriz Blue Mosque in 1997 is an important event in the field of archeology and ancient anthropology in Azarbaijan. When this ancient area has been discovered, studies have been carried out in the fields of dating about these bones and studies related to the origin and the migration (Kasiri, 2019) and the conservation and restoration of the graves in the Iron Age Museum area in 2016 was carried out by Majidi and Razani. In recent years, the effect of humidity on buried organisms in the soil has been the subject of many researchers’ studies. Soil moisture can play an important role in decomposition (Swift et al, 1979). Fluctuations of groundwater in the soil is one of the most important factors affecting microbial activity in the field conditions (Lund and Goksoyr, 1980). Iron Age Museum of Tabriz is located in the central area of this city and among the young Quaternary sediments that form the unconfined groundwater aquifer of Tabriz. Tabriz aquifer has an alluvial nature, which has expanded as a result of the Mehran Rood River flowing in its ancient path and creating numerous meanders during geological time. Hydrogeology as a new branch of earth sciences and engineering studies the condition, behavior and hydrological characteristics of the layers of the earth. As a porous environment, the basement contains soil grains, and the empty space between these grains can be saturated with water and provide a path for the flow of groundwater. The voracity of water movement in the basement compared to the surface currents is very low and varies from a few centimeters per year to several meters per day. Due to passing through various minerals and rocks, groundwater often has a significant amount of different solutes and has relatively high electrical conductivity (E.C). These solutes can cause a lot of damage to cultural works by sedimentation or crystallization in case of evaporation of groundwater. The climatic conditions of each region are different in the occurrence of damaging moisture factors and their effects in different seasons of the year (Nawai, 2016). The amount of humidity in the environment, which can cause destruction due to freezing with the participation of the temperature change parameter, will cause serious damage due to the transport of new solutes and sedimentation at each stage and the recrystallization of previous sediments. In addition to the above, the penetration of moisture through underground water can change the pH of the environment, and this change causes the destruction of cultural works by increasing the acidity.

Discussion
Iron Age Museum of Tabriz, as a result of its archaeological excavations, 108 graves were identified, based on the typology of pottery and metal artefacts and the method of burial and comparing them with the collections discovered from the excavations of Hassanlou Hill and Dinkhah Tepe, dating from around 1200 to 800 BC and the period of Iron Age I and II have been estimated for them, which of course is relatively consistent with the results of carbon 14 dating of these sites (Hojbari Nubri, 1381 and 1383). Its cultural, historical, social and economic nature, along with the aesthetic quality and historical and cultural importance of that area; The type of constituent materials and the composition and method of construction of the works found in it, the value, validity and information and messages hidden in those findings and how they are used are valuable documents of its cultural heritage collection. These works, mainly from archaeological excavations, have been obtained over several years, and their preservation in relatively inappropriate conditions has led to the progress of damage caused by the burial of these objects in the ground, and after a rather long period of time, they will disappear (Bagherzadeh Kasiri, 2016, 8). Based on the studies of Tabriz Urban Railway line 1, water level data is available near the study area of Asr Ahan Museum site, and according to the principle that the groundwater level almost follows the topography, it is possible to estimate the groundwater level in The location of the museum was found. For this purpose, the water level data was collected in the study boreholes near the study area (Table 8) and the map of the ISO lines of ground water in the study area was drawn (Fig. 10). It is necessary to explain that ISO lines or equipotential lines of groundwater are curves on each of these curves, the level of ground water has the same values and the map of parallel lines shows the changes of the level of ground water in the study area. It is possible to draw this type of map both manually and by using software that allows for interpolation and drawing. Next, modeling of groundwater drawdown due to pumping from the extraction well was done using GMS software version 16.4. For archeological stratification, before installing the drilling machine, a manual well should be dug to the desired diameter and to the depth of the ground water, and after reaching the depth of the underground water, the drilling machine will continue drilling from inside this well until it hits The stone should be foamed.

Conclusion
The Iron Age Museum site of Tabriz is one of the prominent sites in the northwest of the Iran, which is facing major problems due to the groundwater infiltration. This research uses information and data of the studies of the aquifer of this region with taking account to the problem of how to intervene in the ancient sites. It has provided a solution to deal with the problem of groundwater in order to reduce its flow, and in this regard, by introducing the place of preliminary evaluations using speculation and Finally suggests a piezometric well to start working in this area and control the groundwater level. Noting that the change of seasons and amount of rainfall can affect the condition of groundwater to some extent; Therefore, by changing the flow rate and duration of pumping, other values of drawdown can be achieved. For this reason, it is suggested that if the plan is implemented, a piezometer well should be drill as close as possible to the museum site so that the condition of the groundwater as well as the amount of its draw done due to pumping from the extraction well can be under immediate control. To prevent the water used in the green space and other uses of the museum site from returning to the area of ancient graves, drainage channels should be used between the area and the main space of the museum.


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