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Showing 5 results for Fortress

Homayoun Khosheghbal, Mahid Montazer Zohouri,
year 0, Issue 0 (3-2024)
Abstract

The relationship between humans and nature has been a common feature throughout human history. In this two-way relationship, humans have utilized geographical conditions to increase productivity, while the geographical location has also influenced cultural attitudes and structures. This mutual relationship has led to compatibility with progress, evident in the architecture, establishment locations, access to resources, and other variables. The location of Ismaili Fortresses in Damghan city is also influenced by geographical conditions. Therefore, the main focus of this research is to gain a better understanding of how geographical variables have influenced the selection, creation, and continuation of settlements in Ismaili Fortresses. Through a descriptive and analytical approach, utilizing library resources, conducting an archaeological field survey of Damghan city, and using modern aerial imaging tools and geographic information system (GIS) analysis, this study aims to answer the question of how geographic variables have played a role in the selection and continuity of Ismaili Fortress settlements. Based on written sources, aerial images, and GIS analysis, it can be hypothesized that geographic variables such as altitude, climate, geology and mineral resources, water resources, and regional and extra-regional communication routes have played a significant role in the architecture and location selection of Fortresses, as well as the continued habitation in them. It is evident that these establishments served various purposes, including military, residential, and surveillance, and were strategically located for optimal use.
Majid Badiee Gavarti,
year 2, Issue 3 (5-2018)
Abstract

Abstract
The fortresses of Iran, due to the geographic location and weather conditions have been built to two types of lowland us and mountainous. For this reason, used building materials are different in these two types. Due to the location of the city Jey and southern highway in Isfahan (that have been location of the Caravans passage from the south to the center of Iran), in Gavart area (At the highest point of Mount Gavart) has existed defensive fortress. Due to the full control Gavart fortress on southern highway in Isfahan, this fortress in addition to defensive destination has also been role of the Caravans guide. The research method of this study is based on method of historic, and in this research preliminary data is obtained from field survey. Due to the architecture style and potteries Gavart, this fortress was made in Sassanid period and has probably been used in early Islamic period. The Gavart fortress has a mountain architecture, and hasn’t regular geometric shape. In this fortress, from the top of each tower is seen roof of the front towers. This site probably has other buildings in the lower of the mountain that troglodytic building in lower of the mountain is from these buildings. This fortress is made in three levels and ten architectural parts. The ceramic founds in Gavart fortress aren’t decoration, and they have been practical. In this research, after full description of this building have been answered to the following questions: What period is this building? What is the use of this building?
Keywords: Fortress, Sassanid, Ancient Jey, Gavart.

Introduction
Iran in terms of geographic location (placing on the road of great Khorasan and Silk Road) has always been threatened from different ethnicities and governments. In prehistoric periods, humans have been created fortresses around of villages and cites for defense of animal’s invasions, but later, fortresses created for defense against of invasions humans. Today, in all Iran can be seen remains of strong enclosures residential castles, that indicates are technique Iranian against of aliens.
The fortresses of Iran, due to the geographic location and weather conditions have been built to two types of lowland us and mountainous. For this reason, used building materials are different in these two types. The fortresses located in the plain areas have usually been made to shape of square or rectangular whit circular towers in four corners. The used building materials in these fortresses have been more than mud and adobe brick, and from bricks and plaster have been used less. The walls of these fortresses are made from thick of pies and adobe bricks. In most cases the thickness of these walls are four meters. Inside the fortress are have meandrous alleys, that all of them have led the main passage of the fortress (fortress gateway). In around some of these fortresses is drilled ditch. The mountainous fortresses at the top of the mountains and heights have been made. In construction of mountainous fortresses has usually been used from rubble and mountain stone and river stone with plaster or mortar. Around these types of fortresses have been deep abysses, that impassable these fortresses have been difficult carrying siege devices. At the end of the towers have been congresses. In this research, after full description of this building have been answered to the following questions: What period is this building? What is the use of this building?

Research findings
The Gavart neighborhood is located in 5 km of east of Esfahan city. The height of Gavart is 1710 meters above sea level, and one part of the Ghohab block (from nine blocks of Esfahan). The “Gavart” means nice breeze (this is for stay in the middle of Dasht-e Kavir and Zagros Mountains that is cause interference warm and dry weather with mountainous weather). This area is located in longitude 51° 48ʹ 44ʺ and latitude 32° 38ʹ 01ʺ and in height 1866 m. The architectural traces this collection are 110 m in 40 m. The Gavart fortress has cylindrical towers, long stairs, antemural, wall, cube buildings inside the fortress, and rocky towers. In this fortress has been used highest skill level in build fortress (in terms use of land and natural side effects to increase the strength of the fortress defense). The Gavart fortress is a type of mountainous fortresses that is located in range and the summit of Gavart Mountain. The architectural components of Gavart fortress are includes of the following: stairs of entrance, and architectural sections 1 to 10 (these sections are located in different parts of the fortress). The Gavart fortress has a mountain architecture, and hasn’t regular geometric shape. In this fortress, from the top of each tower is seen roof of the front towers. This site probably has other buildings in the lower of the mountain that troglodytic building in lower of the mountain is from these buildings. On the surface of this fortress are seen ceramic traces to form of scattered. The pottery findings Gavart fortress: fine ware of buff and clinkey, fine ware of red, ware of medium fine and red and clinkey, ware of medium fine and buff, and glazed ware. The ceramic founds in Gavart fortress aren’t decoration, and they have been practical.

Conclusion
The Gavart fortress has been made from rubble and mortar. The location of this fortress in Gavart Mountain has led to invincible this fortress. The elements of main and structural Gavart fortress are including of rocky walls and impassable of mountain. In the one level of this fortress is located architectural part 7. In the second level Gavart fortress is located architectural parts 1, 2, 3, and 8. In the third level of this fortress (that is highest level of Gavart fortress) are located architectural parts 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10. The pottery in this site more is from type of simple.

Shahriar Nasekhan, Mehdi Soltani, Mahmoud Setayesh Mehr,
year 2, Issue 3 (5-2018)
Abstract

Abstract
The security has always been of the main human concerns. So, the human has always been looking for founding ways to reduce the effects of threatening factors himself. Since the country of Iran in the past have been exposed to a variety of military attacks by different nations and neighboring tribes, issue of defense in architecture and urbanization of Iran a lot of effect, that fortress, fence, tower, ditch, and… has been for this work. The fortresses have been military or civilian fortification that with using natural geographic features, and for maintain security, generally built in the mountains. Bafran is one of the historic cities of the Nain that located alongside ancient way Ray to Kerman. The fortresses as the most important representation of the defense system in past, were have a lot of variety. A number of these fortresses have been located outside the residential area and alongside the farms. The fortresses under study in this research is contains of Ghale Rig, Ghale Razi, Ghale Ali Abad, Ghale Sori, Ghale Hoseyn Abad, Ghale Yekeh Derakht, and Ghale Rostam. In this research has been used from the method of descriptive - analytical and interview with informed people in area. Because these fortresses haven’t been mention in historical written sources (history books, travelogues, and …), authors of this article have emphasized on field studies and observations. The results this research, indicates that fortresses of Bafran are includes three species: the fortresses of temporary residence in times of insecurity, fortresses surrounding the village, and fortresses of rulers. Among the fortresses under study in this research, Ghale Rostam, because of location and for physical and architectural features it, in the past defense system of Bafran has been role a more important.
Keywords: Defense Architecture, Typology, Fortresses in Plane, Bafran, Nain.

Introduction
Fortress has been a building that located on top of a mountain or a high place, and people at all times of the day reside in it. About abundant clayey fortress in the Iran plateau hasn’t been done much research; so, dating these fortresses aren’t easy, because each fortress has been used for several periods. The surveys have been shown about these fortresses, most of them are related to Achaemenid, Seleucid, Parthian, and Sassanid periods that have been used in the subsequent periods of Islamic era and even until now. These buildings have made for a variety of purposes; the smallest fortresses have been used for checkpoint or military post and the biggest them used for fortresses of military and defense and caravans (Siroux, 1979: 54). Based on available evidence, building of the fortress was common until the late Qajar period. After that, with the invention of advanced military weapons as: bomber, rocket, and …, the military fortresses were lost their significance. In Bafran city are number of fortresses that each fortress has own characteristics. So far no research has been done on these castles. In this research, Ghale Rostam maps were drawn by authors that these plans for first time are done from this fortress. The main questions of this research include the following: Which are the Bafran fortresses؟ How can categorize them? What are the architectural features of Ghale Rostam? And, why is Ghale Rostam more important than other fortresses in Bafran? 

Bafran fortresses
Ghale Rostam
This fortress is located in adjacent to Ghadamgah Imam Reza and on top of a hill and at a height of 25 meters from the earth’s surface. The plane of this fortress is rectangular and has a length of 48 meters and 20 centimeters and a width of 12 meters and 47 centimeters. Ghale Rostam with an interior space of 500 square meters, the fortress has been strong.

Ghale Sori, Ghale Razi, Ghale Rig, and Ghale Ali Abad
At the moment, Ghale Sori and Ghale Rig have been completely destroyed, and doesn’t exist possibility to study and field survey of these fortresses. From the Ghale Razi and Ghale Ali Abad are few remnants them.

Ghale Hoseyn Abad
This fortress is located in Hoseyn Abad field and outside the residential area, and in the northwest of Bafran city. Ghale Hoseyn Abad is to form of square and with four rounded towers in four corners.

Ghale Yeke Derakht
This fortress is located in Yeke Derakht field. Now, from Ghale Yeke Derakht is remain two north and northwest towers, and the rest of this building is demolished due to the passing of time and erosion. 

Conclusion
The Baferan fortresses to three types are divisible based on location and their function. Ghale Rostam has been the fortress of insecurity times, because this fortress is located on top of a hill and at a height of 25 meters from the earth’s surface. The Ghale Sori, Ghale Razi, Ghale Rig, and Ghale Ali Abad are located in around the village, and they have been expletory of protection of the village. The Ghale Hosein Abad and Ghale Yeke Derakht have been fortresses of rulers. These fortresses have been a form of square, and with thick and high walls, and with towers in four corners. Various residential and service spaces as rooms, warehouses, stables, and… in around of yard are considered from architectural features of these fortresses.

Arash Lashkari, Akbar Sharifinia,
year 2, Issue 4 (9-2018)
Abstract

Abstract
The monuments of Qajar and early Pahlavi periods in the valley of Darreh-Shahr of Ilam province are among the works that reflect the political and social developments of this era. The purpose of this study is to investigate the adaptive study of the spatial and temporal structure of Ghala Poursharf, Mirgholam Hashemi and Ghaleh Jahangirabad, the causes of their formation and pattern of distribution. The research method in this study was experimental research, field and library studies. In this regard, by studying the architectural elements each of the buildings, the Appellation of them according to their spatial-physical structure is to be re-evaluated. The results of the research are show that the construction of the studied buildings in the city of Darreh-Shahr, according based on military and security necessity and then on political and social grounds. The results of the research are show that the construction of the studied buildings in the city of Darreh-Shahr, have been according based on military and security necessity and then on political and social grounds. These buildings are located at the most appropriate geographical locations and related to agricultural affairs and tax affairs. On the other hand, according to architectural and archaeological studies, other buildings of Pourashraf fortress, has been built on the basis of military and security necessity, and the buildings of Mirgholam Hashemi and Jahangirabad have been manor house and where built at the beginning of the Pahlavi period for political and social reasons. So, in this study, these questions are raised: What is the pattern of distribution of these buildings in Darreh-Shahr? How are the spatial structure of these buildings? Can be used the title of fortress for these buildings?
Keywords: Darreh – Shahr, Late Qajar and Early Pahlavi, Fortresses, Comparative Study.

Introduction
From the location, the fortresses of Iran have been made in different ways in relation to the natural situation of the place and materials. So that, construction of fortresses in the Pre-Islamic Era and the Islamic period of Iran had a close connection with the political, economic and geographical necessities. For this reason, they have made the fortresses in the harsh mountains and beside the water and springs, around the cities and overlooking them. They have made these fortresses for their role in various political developments, such as the rise and fall of governments, the internal crises and used in the onslaught of foreign nations as a refuge for political opponents. Also build these fortresses have been important in the formation of cities. The shape, type, and number of Iranian fortresses towers in the Islamic period have been depend on the social, natural and military conditions of each region. The Iranian fortresses have a long, wide and long wall, cylindrical and multifaceted towers, one or more gates for entry and exit, and sometimes entrenchment on around fortresses. The type of relations governing the life of the fortresses was almost the same. These relations, along with the natural and geographical factors of the region, played a decisive role in function of the various parts of the fortresses, and they all brought together in a special type of architecture. In general, fortresses had several functions that including: for holding detainees, state treasury holdings and the status of government. With this introduction, the monuments from the Late Qajar and Early Pahlavi periods in the city of Darreh-Shahr called “fortress” have been selected for study. The main purpose of this research is to first introduce, describe and analyze the spatial structure of the buildings of Pourashraf, Mirgholam, and Jahangirabad, and then analyze their structure and location. The main purpose of this research is to first introduce, describe and analyze the spatial structure of the buildings of Pourashraf, Mirgholam, and Jahangirabad, and then analyze their structure and location.

Finding Research
The archaeological excavation in the Ziyat area is considered to be a collection of rescue researches of the ancient sites of the basin of the Kurih dam. In order to, this study has done identify and understand the status of the remains architecture and the ancient layers this site. Ziqi enclosure is one of the sites that was quickly destroyed by the first stages of dewatering in the dam buried lake, due to its location and texture; therefore, the implementation of ancient archaeological research on this site before the dam drainage of Amiri, It was essential and important to carry out these researches a valuable step in the process of recognizing and introducing this ancient work before its complete destruction. The Ziqi area has always been part of it due to its proximity to the Guria Monument. The first mention Piran in 1380 was identified during the first chapter of the Ancient Cognitive Examination of the Ivan County of Guria, which Zich was also part of it (Pirani, 2001: 159-183). In 2004, Ibrahim Moradi introduced the Ziqi site in an archaeological study of the Kyrgyz Dam basin independently of the “Guria” building (Moradi, 2004: 40-53). 

Conclusion
The archaeological excavation of the archaeological site of Zich has done in three parts distinct but related sections, including systematic survey, speculation to determine the area and extensive exploration of the site was accomplished. The results of these studies have ultimately led to the recognition of the temporary deployment area (seasonal settlement). The study of the architectural and architectural remnants of the spaces in the excavated workshops and their comparative comparisons with contemporary samples in the region has showed that the Ziqi area was a temporary deployment site (seasonal deployment) and a one-stage deployment that during a period (to Seasonal but for several years) has been used by the Cubans. Establishment in tents that surrounding it with single or double-edged stone and one or two row strips separated from each other, have been outside the tent space (outside the tent) cooking utensils and other day-to-day activities. The nomads have been set up stairs and set up tents on their slopes and have been facilitates their settlement. The healthy and complete example of such settlements that are related to the life of contemporary localities is to the present day and in the same style, and their works are clearly visible around the site.

Erfan Amiriazar, Alireza Anisi,
year 8, Issue 27 (5-2024)
Abstract

Abstract
Lut desert is located in southeastern Iran. The area, despite having many historical monuments, including numerous castles, has not received enough attention from architectural historians. This study aims to clarify the architectural features and the purpose for the multiplicity of these fortresses in this region, it has been tried to study and investigate them with descriptive, analytical, and logical cognitive methods. The research was carried out by library and field studies of 140 castles, as case studies, in the region. The study’s results show that the climate and security factors are the main reasons for erecting the castles. Abundant water and location on the trade routes made the region rich, and on the other hand, point water sources and their limitations caused dispersion and distance between the structures and increased insecurity. According to historical sources, desert outlaws have also had a large presence in the region.  Besides, the techniques to deal with violent sandstorms had caused them to build cities and villages in the middle of high barriers, or to build a castle inside or around it for use in times of need, which caused the number of castles in the investigated area. This has also caused the majority of castles in the region to have residential functions and be built inside or around cities and villages, and other functions and establishments are less frequent. The architecture of the castles and defense fortifications of the region also follows the common architecture of the central plateau castles, excluding incomparable cases. So, most of the castles follow the square and rectangular geometry, and in some cases, the irregular, trapezoidal, and parallelogram geometry is derived from the climatic and contextual conditions. The materials used were canvas and due to the ease of construction, speed of mass production, lower cost and camouflage, mud and mud brick in plain fortresses, and stone in mountain ones. Most of the towers are built in the corners and the middle of the sides with observational, defensive, and structural functions, and in some cases, towers are seen in the middle of the castle with only observational functions. The fortresses’ defense structure mainly is based on the barrier and tower, and as the wealth and population of residential castles increased, more defense boundaries were added.
Keywords: Fortress, Defensive Fortifications, Lot Desert, Kerman.

Introduction
Castles were military or civilian fortifications that were built using natural geographical features to maintain security (Sultani Mohammadi and Bulouri Bunab, 2015: 75). There are many variations in their use and they have a form of residence and social structure, different from the structure of the village and city (Parsi, 1383: 136; Nurbakhsh, 1366: 147).
In Iran, the formation of enclosed group buildings with various methods has a history of three thousand years (Kleiss, 1383: 160). The early forts in Iran can be seen as a relic of the agricultural civilization, when humans started to settle down and needed to maintain their security (Kiani, 1374: 78). In the past, next to many settlements and cities of Iran, there were one or more fortresses, which became people’s shelters during unrest and insecurity (Pirnia and Me‘marian, 2007: 82). Their functions were different, and the smallest of them was a military base or post, and the largest of them were guarded shelters for caravans and military and defensive forts (Siro, 1357: 54). Also, some of them were the central core of the ancient cities of Iran, and the main life of the people was often formed inside the fortresses and old forts (Zarei and Heydari Baba Kamal, 2016: 202). Some scholars believe that castles were built first and then towns were formed around them (Zuka, 1374; Na‘imi, 1389). These defense structures were usually built by the governments to protect the strategic and border cities against the enemy’s invasion and the encroachments of nomadic desert rovers (Wiley, 2016: 26).
Owing to political, economic, and geographical requirements, in both pre-Islamic and Islamic eras, numerous fortresses, and defensive buildings were built. The southern and western edge of the Lut desert in Kerman province is one of them, due to its special geographical location, has many historical castles that have not been studied and investigated in detail, and the studies conducted are limited to archaeological investigations and identifications and monographs. It is related to buildings. This area consists of important cities such as Ravar, Shahdad, Bam, Fahraj, Regan and Narmashir. Each of these cities had political, social and economic prestige at some point in history from the third and fourth millennium BC to the middle Islamic centuries (Qazvini, 1373: 243; Muqadsi, 1361: 680 and 684; Istakhari, 1373: 246; Yaqut, 1383: 269 and 296; Zarei and Heydari Kamal, 1393: 196, Hakimi, 1385: 28; Hakeimi, 1351: 78; Kabuli, 1369: 213). Considering the importance of this type of building in understanding the historical architecture of Iran, as well as the process of their destruction due to natural and human erosion, it is necessary to examine them with a closer look and in more detail. The upcoming research has investigated the castles of this area with such an approach and tried to answer two main questions: 1- What are the architectural characteristics of the fortress in the geographical area of the southern and western border of the Lut desert? 2- What is the main reason for the appearance, formation, and number of fortresses in this region?

Discussion
The structure used in the barrier of all the load-bearing wall castles and the materials used in the fence of all the plain castles the mud and mud brick and mountain areas, stone and baked brick are used for strengthening the base of the barriers. Stone has been the main material in the few mountain castles in the region. Although various decorations are used in the castles, due to functional reasons, they are seen in a limited number.
In terms of shape, the majority of castles in the region are square and rectangular, that is, the dominant form of such buildings in the central plateau of Iran. However, there are several castles with special trapezoidal, parallelogram, and irregular geometries, which were built in this way due to the specific topography of the environment and climatic conditions, such as facing sandstorms.
The dominant form of the towers is also cylindrical. In some cases, rectangular cube forms and square bases have been used, all of which have led to more structural resistance of the towers. The semi-cylindrical form has also led to the optimal use of space. Only one case of a triangular tower foundation has been seen in the castles, which is considered an exception. In terms of the location of the towers, the majority are placed in the corners and middle of the sides, which is by the usual architecture of castles. However, the construction of towers in the middle of the castle is surprising in many cases.
The defense structure of the castles of the region is based on two types, fenced and unfenced. Most of them consist of walls and towers, and several fences and ditches have been added. In some cases, the position of the bed in the mountain castles has been used and, on some sides, the fence has been removed. Most of the castles are located inside or outside of villages and cities for security and climatic reasons. The forts on the road and near the rivers were also built for security reasons.
To determine the exact function of fortresses is unclear, however, based on the previous data, the purpose can be recognized to some extent. Therefore, the castles that were built at the critical points between the road and the water divide had military use in strategic locations. The fortresses that were built in the center and around the villages were the lords’ fortifications that had either a residential position or an economic function. In the case of expansion and adding spaces such as the guard’s room, posts, and spaces similar to the military function, they become residential and if they are located in a prosperous city and court spaces are located inside them, they have a ruler’s seat. Fortresses that are located next to villages and cities have a shelter function.  

Conclusion 
the research studied the architectural features of the fortifications and defensive structures of the western and southern border of the Lut desert from 5 aspects: construction method, defensive structure, form, location, and function. The results of this study show that the fence structure of all the castles under investigation of the load-bearing wall is mainly made of mud and mud bricks, and in some cases, stone and brick have been used in combination with them for more strength. The richness of mud and mud bricks, cheapness and lower construction expenses, riches of mass production, faster production, matching the color with the environment, and helping to better camouflage compared to bricks and non-woven materials. Also, few mountain castles are built with stone materials due to their availability and the possibility of camouflage. The defense structure of most castles is based on fences and towers, and the number of towers and fences has been reduced and increased according to demand, and moats have been used. In general, as the wealth and population of castles, one of whose functions was residential, increased, rulers and residents increased the number of defense layers. There is also a type without fence, which is built due to climate and derived from the form of nuclear villages. In this way, the height of the external walls was increased to prevent the entry of sand into the central structure, no doors and windows were opened to the outside, and the passage was made only through the gate. This is not only to deal with climatic problems but also increases the security of the castle. The dominant form in the castles of the region is square and rectangular, but due to climatic and contextual reasons, many rhombus-shaped, trapezoidal, and irregular castles have also been built. The castles built based on the plan, follow the traditional square and rectangular geometry of the castles of the central plateau of Iran. The castles that have expanded over time and the castles that have been designed using the characteristics of the bed and the background (such as mountain and riverside castles) have irregular geometry. Most of the towers are built in the middle of the sides and corners however, in some cases, the construction of towers is in the middle and outside of the fortress. The towers in the middle of the castle had only an observation role, but the towers located in the corners and the middle of the sides had a defensive and structural role. Also, due to structural and spatial reasons, some castles are made of rectangular cube towers, cube bases, and semi-cylindrical towers.
The number of castles in the region is affected by the forces of security and climate. The inhabitant areas of the western and southern border of Lut have been very rich due to plentiful water and are located on commercial roads. On the other hand, the limitation of point water sources such as wells, aqueducts, and springs had caused the creation of irregular and scattered villages in the middle of the desert with a distance from each other and increased insecurity. According to historical sources, desert outlaws have also had a large presence in the region. All these factors, in addition to the techniques to deal with violent sand storms, had caused cities and villages to be built in the middle of the fence, or to build a castle inside or around it for use in times of need, which has caused the number of castles in the investigated area.  This has caused the majority of fortresses in the region to have residential functions and to be built around and inside villages and cities, and other functions and settlements are less frequent.


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