Abstract
One of the most important commercial ports of Iran in the Islamic period was the old Hormoz (Hormuoz). This port was part of Jiroft area in the early to middle centuries AH. In the fifth century AH and after the decline of the commercial prosperity of Siraf port, Hromouz was one of the most important and active maritime trade centers of Iran in the northern margin of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman; And was associated with most of the important economic, commercial, and industrial centers of the ancient World. At the end of the seventh century AH, following the local conflicts and insecurity in the region, the establishment of Hormoz was transferred from the coast to an island in front of it called “Joron”. According to historical texts, after this relocation, the coastal port was called “Old Hormoz” and the island was called “New Hormoz”. The most important period of prosperity was the establishment of old Hormoz from the fifth century to the end of the seventh century AH. The aim of the present study is to identify and locate “old Hormoz” based on archaeological evidence and historical sources, and the research is on the question of where the port of old Hormoz was based on archaeological data and historical sources? For this purpose, basic information has been collected in two ways: field and documentary. Based on historical texts, the location of old Hormoz in the city of Minab can be traced. While there is no ancient city or site called old Hormoz on the coast of this city. Written sources, on the other hand, do not have an organized structure in old Hormoz, and the location of the port and the residence of the merchants are not located in the same place and are far apart. Based on this, it seems that among the 36 sites of the Islamic period that have been identified in the studies of the archaeological city of Minab, the site of “Chakha” next to the estuary (gulf) of Chakha has been the remains of the old port of Hormoz.
Keywords: Old Hormouz, Site of Chakha, Minab City, Archaeological Survey.

Introduction
Most scholars believe that old Hormuz was located in present-day Minab (le Strange, 2012: 341); But its exact limits are not clear. Various researchers have introduced areas such as Kohestak, Moghistan and Ebrahimi as well as Bandar Tiab as the place of old Hormoz (Vosoughi, 1384: 148; Ebrahimi, 1384: 45). A number of ancient geographers have pointed to something that could solve this problem, and in fact raises another issue: “The residence of merchants is located in the surrounding villages, about two Farsang from Hormuz.” (Istakhri, 2004: 99). Ibn Hawql has also mentioned the existence of merchants’ houses in the surrounding villages and diyats without mentioning the journeys (Ibn Hawql, 1987: 76-78); Moghaddasi (1385: 688) and the Author of Hudood al-Alam (1362: 127) also mentioned the location of the city of Hormuz in one Mil and a half Mile of the sea or the Great Sea, respectively. Considering this, it seems that old Hormoz had two parts: port and residential. As a result, finding the location of old Hormuz depends on finding its port. With this introduction, the main question of the present study is that based on archaeological data and historical sources, where was the port of old Hormoz? The study area has historically been called Hormouz, Hormoz and Minab. There are two views on the spelling of the word Hormuz; One is that it is composed of two parts: “Hour” means “estuary” or bay and “Mouz, Mogh” is the name of Mughestan province. The second view, which is derived from the word “Ourmazd” or “Hormozd” name of the Zoroastrian God (Nowruzi, 1390: 5-6). The date of construction of old Hormoz or Hormoz Barri (Minab) is attributed to Ardeshir Babakan (Saeedi, 1386: 45). Minab city with an area of 5135 square kilometers (statistical yearbook of Hormozgan province, 1396: 50) is located in the southeast of Hormozgan province and from the north with Rudan city and from the northwest with Bandar Abbas city. It is limited to Jask city from the southeast and Kerman province from the northeast.

Discussion
Based on archaeological evidence from 36 sites of the Islamic period in Minab city and analysis of the content of historical geographical sources about Hormoz, it seems that the Chakha or Chakha site in Bandzarak village in the central part of Minab city is more adaptable to the old Hormoz than other sites. Accordingly, first a general description of the Chekha site and then arguments for locating the old Hormoz port based on textual sources and matching them with archaeological evidence will be provided. Chakha site has been identified and introduced by Sarlak in the second season of archaeological studies of Minab plain in winter 1384 and spring 1386 (Sarlak, 1385). In 1390, Nowruzi in this area with the aim of determining frontage, began to excavate (Nowruzi, 1390). Although in his opinion, due to the monthly and daily tides of sea water and flooding of parts of the area, it is not possible to accurately determine the area and privacy of this area, but its approximate area can be estimated at about 40 hectares (Nowruzi, 2011). However, it is difficult to identify archaeological evidence during the day when seawater is low. This area is completely covered with coastal sand soil.
In addition to architectural evidence, artifacts such as bricks, coins, bones, various stones and pottery can be seen on the surface of the Chekha at high tide. The pottery fragments of this site are divided into two groups: unglazed (54 pieces) and glazed (180 pieces). Unglazed pottery samples are divided into two categories: “unadorned” and “decorated”. Unglazed, unadorned pottery in the Chekha area has a clay paste in a buff, red, or gray color range. With the exception of two handmade pieces, all parts in this group are spinning. The unglazed and simple type of pottery with gray paste, which has the largest number in this group of pottery, includes parts belonging to open-mouthed containers, laver, trays and lids. The glazed pottery pieces of the Chekha site also include various types, “ monochrome glazed”, “ monochrome glazed with carved decoration”, “ splash glaze”, “ painted in black under turquoise glaze”, “ blue and white”, “ moulded decoration under monochrome glaze”.

Conclusion
According to historical and geographical information, old Hormoz did not have a cohesive urban structure and consisted of two parts: the port where ships docked and few residential houses and urban facilities, and the other part where it is located. Rest and accommodation of travelers and businessmen who are located in the surrounding villages with different distances from the port from three kilometers to about 12 kilometers. The results of this research using archaeological research and excavations in historical sources and texts on the subject of the location of ancient Hormoz showed that the ancient site of Chekha in the southernmost part of Minab city according to its location, extent and time period were the remains of the old port of Hormoz. Saying that this area is located next to the largest estuary or bay located on the coast of Minab city, its area is estimated at about 40 hectares and based on studies conducted for the activity mentioned in the texts and its time period seems appropriate. Pottery was used from the first century AH to the ninth century AD, but its peak occurred in the Middle Ages. On this basis, we can present an image of old Hormoz, in which the ancient sites located within a radius of 12 km of the Chekha area are the remains of the same villages and hamlets that formed the residential part of the old city of Hormoz.

Acknowledgment
The authors feel obliged to express their gratitude to the anonymous reviewers of the journal who graciously accepted the task and enriched the content of the article with their constructive suggestions.

Observation Contribution
The authors of this paper pledge that this paper is the result of an original research and the results of other peoples researches have been used only citing the source.

Conflict of Interest
This article is a part of the MA dissertation of the first author, and the following authors have actively participated in the writing of this article as a supervisor and consultant.